are surmounted with

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are surmounted with" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is topped or adorned with another element, often in a decorative or architectural context. Example: "The ancient temple's entrance is surmounted with intricate carvings of mythical creatures."

✓ Grammatically correct

Oceanic art

African art

Architecture

Music

News

Science

Encyclopedias

Wikipedia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Helmet masks are janiform or have quadruple faces or are surmounted with seated figures.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Many of these cylinders are surmounted with human and animal forms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The interior is amazing – not just for sandstone pillars that stretch up to the huge dome and are surmounted with lions' heads on bird bodies, but also for Art Deco touches such as fighter-plane designs amid the flying horses.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"The most difficult passages of an extremely exacting program were surmounted with ease and precision".

The New York Times - Arts

This must be surmounted with a serious dose of pride and an awareness that, as Condou said, "role models really make a difference".

Independent

Mr. Montagnon, of OverBlog, said the move to scuttle a takeover of DailyMotion showed that the administration did not "get" the Internet, where national borders can be surmounted with the click of a mouse.

The New York Times

According to The Times account, written when the cornerstone was laid, the building was to be surmounted with three pedestals, the center one with a full-size statue of a fireman, "the same one who has stood sentry for so many years in front of the old Hall," which had been on the same site.

The New York Times

(Apparently, this wasn't the main purpose. It was to keep the system from getting overwhelmed, something that has been surmounted with the new upgrade).

TechCrunch

To speedup access to inner areas, obstacles can be surmounted with the assistance of carefully maneuvered power shovel arm, instead of removing them.

ROBOMECH Journal

Conventionally, this problem is surmounted with placement of a plastic tracheostomy tube, which is uncomfortable for the patient, potentially traumatic, and can interfere with vocalization via a tracheal esophageal puncture.

International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics

For the given specifications and for the given step-like structure, it was identified at the end of this heavy time consuming batch simulation that the obstacle can be surmounted with least energy consumption of 17.155 J with P1 = 0.2475 m, P2 = 0.22 m, P3 = 0.3996 m, and (alpha _F) = 16.75° parameters.

ROBOMECH Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing architectural features or decorative elements, use "are surmounted with" to convey a sense of formal elegance and precise placement. For instance, "The monument's pillars are surmounted with statues of national heroes."

Common error

Avoid using "are surmounted with" in contexts where "overcome" or "solved" is more appropriate. For example, do not say "Their difficulties are surmounted with hard work"; instead, say "Their difficulties are overcome with hard work".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are surmounted with" functions as a passive verb phrase used to describe the act of something being placed or built on top of something else. This is confirmed by Ludwig AI, which identifies the phrase as correct and usable in written English, primarily in descriptive contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Encyclopedias

20%

News & Media

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Oceanic art

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are surmounted with" is a grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe something being topped or adorned with another element. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It is most commonly found in formal contexts, such as encyclopedias, news articles, and scientific papers. While less frequent in informal settings, the phrase serves a clear purpose in providing detailed descriptions of objects and structures. Related phrases include "are topped with" and "are adorned with", offering simpler alternatives. When using "are surmounted with", ensure it is applied to physical contexts rather than abstract challenges. Overall, this phrase adds a touch of formality and precision to descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are topped with

Changes the verb "surmounted" to "topped", offering a more common and simpler alternative.

are crowned with

Replaces "surmounted" with "crowned", suggesting a more regal or celebratory topping.

are adorned with

Focuses on the decorative aspect of being topped, rather than the physical placement.

are capped with

Implies a protective or finishing layer on top.

are finished with

Highlights the completion or final touch aspect.

are overlaid with

Suggests a layering or covering on top.

are laden with

Indicates a heavy or abundant covering.

are embellished with

Emphasizes the decorative and intricate nature of the topping.

are decorated with

Focuses on the decorative aspect. Less emphasis on vertical placement.

are overcome by

Shifts the meaning to being overwhelmed or conquered by something, rather than being topped.

FAQs

How can I use "are surmounted with" in a sentence?

Use "are surmounted with" to describe something that is topped or adorned with another element. For example, "The towers "are surmounted with" flags" or "The building "is surmounted with" a dome".

What's a simpler alternative to "are surmounted with"?

If you want a less formal phrase, you can use alternatives such as "are topped with" or "are adorned with". These options convey a similar meaning but in a more straightforward manner.

Is it correct to use "are surmounted with" to describe overcoming a challenge?

No, "are surmounted with" is typically used for physical objects being topped with something. To describe overcoming a challenge, use phrases like "are overcome by" or "are solved by" instead.

What's the difference between "are surmounted with" and "are decorated with"?

"Are surmounted with" implies that something is placed on top of something else, often as a prominent feature. "Are decorated with" simply means something is adorned with decorations, without necessarily being on top. The wall niches here "are surmounted by" torana (lintel) "are decorated with" carvings of floral motifs.