beat

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "beat" is correct and very commonly used in written English.
It can be used in multiple contexts. For example: "He beat the drum in a steady rhythm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to religious Muslim attire.

The Guardian

… The Baltimore Orioles beat the Yankees, 4-3.

The New York Times

Deborah doesn't miss a beat.

The Guardian

Catherine West, who beat Lynne Featherstone in the Red Wedding of the Lib Dem's election, creates a completely different atmosphere, but it's also one of infinite possibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Fremantle overcame a late scare to beat Sydney by 14 points in their Anzac Day AFL clash at Domain Stadium.

The Guardian - Sport

I think it would be better for the English people if they think that it's now a different German generation and you just try to beat us or maybe try to copy us.

The Guardian - Sport

They preach it in their music, which is a strange hybrid of beat and electric guitar Asian jazz.

The Guardian

Once there, coming from behind to beat Japan in the opening game will live long in the memory.

The Guardian - Sport

Shackled by the high threshold, pro-Kurdish candidates had previously run as independents in single seats to try to beat the 10% party barrier.

The Guardian

Wales have not lost on the road in the Six Nations since March 2011, the month that Ireland last beat one of their title rivals, England, Wales or France, at home.

The Guardian - Sport

The Los Angeles sisters beat Justin Timberlake, who had been narrowly ahead in the midweek chart, to the top.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beat" in the context of music, ensure that the surrounding text clearly indicates the musical sense to avoid ambiguity. For example, "The drummer emphasized the strong beat."

Common error

Avoid using "beet" when you mean "beat". "Beet" is a root vegetable, while "beat" has various meanings, including striking, winning, or a rhythm. Proofread carefully to ensure you've used the correct word.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "beat" is as a verb, used to describe actions such as striking, defeating, or pulsating. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is frequently used and well-understood in these contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Sport

22%

Lifestyle

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "beat" is a versatile term that functions primarily as a verb with various meanings including striking, defeating, or creating a rhythm. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a commonly used word across various contexts. The term appears most frequently in "News & Media", "Sport", and "Lifestyle" domains, indicating its broad applicability. To avoid confusion, it's crucial to differentiate "beat" from its homophone "beet", which refers to a root vegetable. Alternative phrases for "beat" include "defeat", "overcome", and "trounce", each carrying slightly different connotations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

defeat

Replaces "beat" in the context of winning a competition or game.

overcome

Similar to "beat", but emphasizes the act of surmounting a challenge or obstacle.

vanquish

A more formal synonym for "beat", implying a decisive victory.

trounce

Suggests a thorough and decisive defeat, stronger than a simple "beat".

throb

Replaces "beat" in the context of a rhythmic pulse or vibration.

pulsate

Similar to "throb", emphasizing the rhythmic and regular nature of the beating.

pound

Replaces "beat" when referring to a heavy, rhythmic striking action.

exhausted

Replaces "beat" in the context of feeling extremely tired or worn out.

fatigued

Similar to "exhausted", but can also imply physical or mental weariness.

tired out

A more informal way to express the feeling of being "beat" in the sense of exhaustion.

FAQs

How can I use "beat" in a sentence?

You can use "beat" in various contexts such as "The team "beat" their opponent", "I could feel the "beat" of the music", or "I'm completely "beat" after that workout".

What are some alternatives to using "beat" when describing a victory?

Instead of "beat", you can use words like "defeat", "overcome", or "trounce" to describe winning.

Which is correct, "beat" or "beaten"?

The correct form depends on the tense. Use ""beat"" for the past simple and "beaten" for the past participle, as in "He beat the drum" versus "He has beaten the drum before".

What's the difference between "beat" as a verb and "beat" as a noun?

As a verb, "beat" means to strike or defeat. As a noun, "beat" can refer to a stroke, a rhythm, or an area patrolled by someone.