be outshone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be outshone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is overshadowed or made to seem less impressive compared to another person or thing. Example: "Despite her hard work, she felt she would always be outshone by her more charismatic colleague."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Who'd have thought he would be outshone by a namesake?

The Guardian - Sport

Many will be much fainter — and will easily be outshone by urban light pollution.

The Washington Post

Efron may take top billing, but he's supposed to be outshone.

The Guardian - Film

And Roosevelt could fume at "that lily-livered skunk in the White House" and watch his own reputation be outshone.

The New York Times - Books

Best in show Drew Barrymore demonstrated that understated hair and make-up and a healthy figure just can't be outshone.

Independent

Not to be outshone, the London Philharmonic Orchestra's latest Stravinsky concert on Wednesday had its own dazzle.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

Colleagues felt she was outshone.

The Guardian

Now and then, he was outshone.

The New York Times - Arts

This was outshone by another Blumenfield rhinoceros horn vessel.

The New York Times - Arts

Trump was outshone, outmanoeuvred, out-thought and outwitted.

The Guardian - Opinion

P19 Diary: Faisal Islam is outshone by Adam Boulton on Sky News.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "be outshone" to add nuance when describing situations of comparison, ensuring the context emphasizes the difference in prominence or excellence.

Common error

Avoid using "be outshone" when an active voice would be more direct and impactful. Instead of "He was outshone by his colleague", consider "His colleague outshone him" for a more concise sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be outshone" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject receives the action of being surpassed in brilliance or importance by something or someone else. This aligns with Ludwig AI's analysis, confirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Encyclopedias

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be outshone" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to describe situations where something or someone is surpassed or overshadowed by another. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, and while it's appropriate for formal writing, it should be used judiciously to ensure the passive voice enhances rather than detracts from the message. Related phrases include ""be overshadowed"" and ""be eclipsed"". Remember to use it when you want to highlight relative differences in skill, importance, or visibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be overshadowed

Emphasis on being hidden or less noticeable due to someone or something else.

be eclipsed

Focuses on the complete covering or obscuring of something, often temporarily.

be surpassed

Highlights exceeding or going beyond in achievement or quality.

be eclipsed by

More specific, indicating a direct comparison and subsequent obscuring.

be eclipsed by something

Adds a direct comparison and subsequent obscuring by something.

be overshadowed by

Emphasis on being made less significant or impressive due to something else.

be overshadowed by something

Adds a direct comparison and a description of being overshadowed by something.

pale in comparison

Implies a significant reduction in importance or appeal when compared.

fade into insignificance

Suggests a gradual loss of importance or visibility.

be eclipsed by success

Similar meaning and highlights the success aspect.

FAQs

How can I use "be outshone" in a sentence?

"Be outshone" is used to indicate that someone or something is overshadowed or surpassed by another. For example: "The local band was outshone by the international act at the festival."

What are some alternatives to using "be outshone"?

Alternatives include phrases like "be overshadowed", "be eclipsed", or "be surpassed", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "be outshone" in formal writing?

Yes, "be outshone" is appropriate for formal writing. However, ensure that the passive voice is the most effective way to convey your intended meaning.

What's the difference between "be outshone" and "be overshadowed"?

While both convey being less prominent, "be outshone" often implies a comparison in terms of brilliance or talent, while "be overshadowed" can refer to any form of reduced prominence or significance.