ability to surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ability to surpass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing someone's potential or capacity to exceed a certain standard, limit, or achievement. Example: "Her ability to surpass her previous records has made her a standout athlete in the competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Rather, he suggested, "You need a lot of confidence and the ability to surpass yourself".

The New York Times - Sports

"If I'm to believe all the messages of support from the New Zealanders, the Argentines and the Australians that we come across in the street, they are united against [England] but that's also what makes [England] strong, this ability to surpass themselves, to unite together against the rest of the world".

The Guardian - Sport

Thin and aerodynamics, the new Acer netbooks evoke speed and mobility, underlining the ability to surpass the boundaries of space and time and to experience connectivity anywhere in full freedom.

TechCrunch

This seems to be an inherent limitation of prediction tools, since attainable AUCs depend on the distribution of risk in the population under study; specifically, only rarely encountered distributions displaying unusually wide spread, such as the uniform or u-formed distributions, allow AUCs (and with it discriminatory ability) to surpass values of 0.80 [ 24].

BMC Infectious Diseases

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Sampras saw that day a player with the ability to someday surpass his record.

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, the ability of arterioles to surpass sympathetic vasoconstriction is enhanced in contracting muscles with 'functional sympatholysis' promoting an increase in blood flow to active muscle fibers [ 10, 21, 22].

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

The phase shifting ability can be used to surpass the chromatic aberration, which is caused because light with different wavelength has different refractive angle.

Nano Convergence

It is beginning to surpass the ability of patients to make informed decisions, especially around new emerging biotechnologies such as stem cell interventions and genome sequencing.

Science Magazine

A brilliant cinematographer would be hard put to surpass Furst's ability to conjure the atmosphere, mood and smells of his stories' locales.

Forbes

From that point his ability to experiment with what he learned and to develop new expressive means quickly allowed him to surpass his father's abilities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

At present, Murray is a brilliant player whose tenacity could be the vital weapon to surpass rivals with greater natural ability (Roger Federer) or physical strength (Rafa Nadal).

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "ability to surpass", ensure the context clearly defines what is being surpassed. Specify the benchmark, limit, or standard that is being exceeded for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "ability to surpass" in overly general statements where the specific achievement or surpassed entity is vague. Being specific makes the statement more impactful and meaningful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ability to surpass" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in describing potential, capability, or inherent qualities.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "ability to surpass" describes the potential to exceed a limit or standard. Though grammatically correct, as confirmed by Ludwig, it is relatively rare. Its primary function is to highlight a capacity for exceeding expectations, often used in contexts related to News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what is being surpassed. Consider alternatives like "capacity to exceed" or "potential to outdo" to avoid overuse and maintain precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

capacity to exceed

Focuses on the potential or inherent capability to go beyond a certain limit, differing slightly from actively surpassing it.

potential to outdo

Highlights the possibility of performing better than someone or something else, implying a competitive aspect.

aptitude to transcend

Emphasizes overcoming or rising above limitations, often used in philosophical or abstract contexts. It suggests more than just exceeding, but rather moving to a higher plane.

talent for exceeding expectations

Points out a natural skill in surpassing what is anticipated or predicted, stressing the element of surprise and exceptional performance.

skill in outstripping

Highlights the expertise in exceeding others, stressing competitive advantage.

power to overcome

Focuses on the strength and resources needed to beat/surpass something.

facility for bettering

Implies an ease or natural inclination towards improving or surpassing a certain standard or level.

effectiveness in eclipsing

Emphasizes the efficiency with which something overshadows or surpasses something else, often used in the context of achievements or success.

ability to go further

Suggests the capacity to extend beyond current limits or achievements, emphasizing progress and advancement.

scope to improve

The difference lies in the idea that here there's margin of improvement available.

FAQs

What does "ability to surpass" mean?

The phrase "ability to surpass" refers to the capacity or potential to exceed a certain limit, expectation, or achievement. It suggests going beyond a previous level or standard.

How can I use "ability to surpass" in a sentence?

You can use "ability to surpass" when describing someone or something that has the potential to exceed expectations or overcome limitations. For example, "Her dedication demonstrates her "ability to surpass" all previous sales records."

What are some alternatives to "ability to surpass"?

Some alternatives include "capacity to exceed", "potential to outdo", or "aptitude to transcend" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "ability to exceed" or "ability to surpass"?

Both "ability to exceed" and "ability to surpass" are correct, but "surpass" often implies exceeding a higher or more significant threshold. The choice depends on the nuance you want to convey. Consider also to use "ability to excel" or "capacity to outstrip" for similar meanings.