Surpass the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Surpass the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing exceeding boundaries or constraints, whether they are physical, metaphorical, or conceptual. Example: "In order to achieve greatness, one must learn to surpass the limit of their own expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Unless you are a lumberjack, there's only so much plaid you can contemplate, and it's easy these days to surpass the limit.

The New Yorker

He told me to drive – so I drove, hands clenched onto the wheel, an eye on the speedometer to make sure I didn't surpass the limit by a single kilometre.

BBC

In other words, LD activity might be limited by DXR sensitivity of cancer cells, while ILD would be likely to surpass the limit and able to overcome the drug resistance of those cells when they have enough Ag density.

British Journal of Cancer

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

To ensure that these versatile enzymes meet industry standards and needs, they have been subjected to directed evolution and hybrid approaches that surpass the limits imposed by nature.

Trends in Biotechnology

The children also universally agreed that one is not free to choose to go beyond one's physical and mental abilities – opting to float in the air or to surpass the limits of one's knowledge and skill.

Cornell University

It is this understanding that gives him the confidence to believe that technology – through an explosion of progress in genetics, nanotechnology and robotics – will soon surpass the limits of his imagination.

Independent

If the Governor and legislative leaders should wish to surpass the limits, they would have to sign a public statement and repay the debt in three years, without gimmicks.

The New York Times

The worst case is even more severe: a drastic change in our environment that could see heat stress in some areas surpass the limits of human tolerance, leaving as the legacy of our generation an unimaginably different and more dangerous world for our children and grandchildren.

The Guardian

In this review we aim to present the most recent advances in this fascinating research field that are allowing us to surpass the limits of nature and apply newly gained attributes to a range of applications, from gene therapy to novel green processes.

Biotechnology Advances

Faith has more authority than human reason and must be accepted in all cases where the two conflict since the things we believe on faith come from God, who cannot err.[14] Although metaphysics cannot surpass the limits of human knowledge, Marsilius considered it to be the entry point to theology.

SEP

It has surpassed the limit of where humans can travel and tested the limits of what we can see.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "surpass the limit" when you want to emphasize exceeding a specific, often measurable, boundary or restriction. It suggests a deliberate act of going beyond what is normally expected or allowed.

Common error

While "surpass the limit" is grammatically correct, consider whether a simpler phrase like "exceed the limit" or "go beyond the limit" might be more appropriate for your audience. Overly formal language can sometimes detract from clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpass the limit" functions as a verb phrase where "surpass" acts as a transitive verb taking "the limit" as its direct object. According to Ludwig AI, this is a correct and usable expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surpass the limit" is a grammatically correct expression used to denote exceeding a specific boundary or restriction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English. Although not very frequent, its use spans across various contexts including News & Media, Science, and Academia. When writing, consider if a simpler phrase like "exceed the limit" is more appropriate for your target audience. Keep in mind that while the phrase is valid, context is key to ensure your message is as clear and impactful as possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Exceed the boundary

Replaces "surpass" with "exceed" and "limit" with "boundary", offering a slightly different nuance regarding constraints.

Go beyond the limit

Uses a more common and straightforward expression to convey exceeding a restriction.

Break the barrier

Implies overcoming an obstacle, suggesting a more active and forceful surpassing.

Transcend the limitation

Conveys rising above a restriction, implying a higher level of achievement.

Outstrip the restriction

Suggests exceeding a constraint, often in a competitive or comparative sense.

Overtake the benchmark

Indicates exceeding a standard or measure, commonly used in performance contexts.

Surmount the obstacle

Implies overcoming an impediment, emphasizing the challenge involved.

Top the threshold

Indicates exceeding a defined point, often used in data or measurement contexts.

Exceed expectations

Focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes, often in a performance-based situation.

Push the envelope

Idiomatic expression meaning to test or exceed accepted boundaries or limits.

FAQs

What does "surpass the limit" mean?

The phrase "surpass the limit" means to exceed or go beyond a specific boundary, restriction, or threshold. It implies exceeding what is normally expected or allowed.

What can I say instead of "surpass the limit"?

You can use alternatives like "exceed the limit", "go beyond the limit", or "break the barrier" depending on the context.

How formal is the phrase "surpass the limit"?

The phrase "surpass the limit" is relatively formal. Simpler alternatives like "go over the limit" or "exceed the limit" might be more appropriate in informal contexts.

Is it correct to say "surpass the limits"?

Yes, it is correct to say "surpass the limits", especially when referring to multiple boundaries or restrictions. The singular "limit" is appropriate when referring to a single, specific boundary.