beats

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "beats" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a series of repeated sounds, such as a heart beat, or to express a comparison of something being better than something else, as in: "My home-made apple pie beats store-bought pie any day."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Music

Sport

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to Nine, this beats the previous world record of $2.522m given away in a champion run on the US game show Jeopardy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

At the bottom end, consumers are beginning to see through the old lie that supermarkets are always cheaper (my greengrocer beats the prices at Sainsbury's every time, which is why there's always a queue).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Nothing beats the feeling of winning a new account, whether it's a local store or a national chain.

The Guardian

The German goalkeeper is nothing if not decisive and beats the Algeria forward to the bouncing ball by a split second, heading it out for a throw-in before the inevitable collision between the two players.

The Guardian - Sport

Add jittery electronic beats, Björk's powerful voice and a string section, and you've just about got a sense of the latest album from Iceland's reigning queen of experimental pop.

The Guardian - Music

Earl Sweatshirt: I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside Moody and introspective rap verses over jittery, self-produced beats on the Odd Future crew member's latest.

The Guardian - Music

North said: "The beauty of the show is that there are five auctions and four beats per auction – the container getting opened up, the auction, the winner looking inside the unit and whether they have made money or lost money.

The Guardian

That shared language is also reflected in the live band, which combines flamenco with hip-hop beats.

The Guardian

In the unlikely event McCarthy beats Berger, she will become the youngest MP to ever enter office.

The Guardian

For me, nothing beats the feeling you get when you declare a couple married and you see the look on their faces, knowing you have been part of a life-changing moment.

The Guardian

Chiringuitos are beach bars that morph from late lunch to sundowners to DJ-till-dawn beats.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "beats" to compare, ensure the context clearly identifies what is being compared and on what basis. For example, "This new software beats the old one in terms of speed and efficiency."

Common error

Avoid using "beats" without a clear point of reference. Saying "This beats everything" is vague; specify what it surpasses to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "beats" is as a verb, typically in the third-person singular present tense, indicating an action of surpassing or defeating. It can also function as a plural noun, referring to rhythmic pulses. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a standard English word usable in multiple contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Music

20%

Sport

15%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Science

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "beats" is a versatile term in the English language. As Ludwig AI indicates, it correctly can function both as a verb and a noun. Predominantly, "beats" is used to indicate one thing surpassing another or to describe the rhythms of music. Its usage is very common, frequently appearing in contexts such as News & Media, Music and Sport. When using "beats", ensure clarity in your comparison and recognize its dual role for effective communication. The most authoritative sources that use this term are The Guardian, The New York Times and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperforms

Implies a superior performance in a specific metric.

surpasses

Indicates exceeding a certain limit or expectation.

exceeds

Suggests going beyond a particular level or boundary.

better than

Directly compares and indicates a higher quality or preference.

triumphs over

Highlights a victory or success against a challenge.

conquers

Emphasizes overcoming an obstacle or opponent.

is superior to

Formally states a higher rank or quality.

prevails against

Focuses on winning despite difficulties.

is unmatched by

Indicates that something is unique in its excellence.

dominates

Suggests a position of power or control over something else.

FAQs

How can I use "beats" in a sentence?

You can use "beats" to mean surpassing something, as in "My homemade pizza "beats store-bought pizza"", or as the plural of "beat", referring to rhythms in music or heartbeats.

What's a good alternative to "beats" when comparing two things?

Consider alternatives like "outperforms", "surpasses", or "is better than" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "nothing beats" something?

Yes, the phrase "nothing beats" is a common idiom used to express that something is the best or most enjoyable, like "nothing beats a good cup of coffee in the morning".

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

As a verb, "beats" means to surpass or defeat, while as a noun, "beats" refers to the rhythmic pulses in music or the act of striking something repeatedly. The context usually clarifies the intended meaning.