beyond

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "beyond" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate something that is further away in distance, time, or degree, or to express a limit or boundary that is surpassed. Example: "The beauty of the sunset was beyond words, leaving everyone in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Tech

Opinion

Books

Lifestyle

Travel

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

At times the level of support and goodwill, locally and beyond, is overwhelming.

The Guardian - Books

But, comprised of men at their peak and beyond, it soon needed refreshing, as Busby knew it would – time and money had already been invested into a youth system with Jimmy Murphy recruited to run it.

The Guardian - Sport

Having enjoyed your singing in Beyond the Sea, I wondered if you have any plans for a role in a musical in the future, either on stage or screen?

The Guardian

"Any song that expresses an author's frustration at 'being sick of blurred lines' is beyond unacceptable".

The Guardian - Music

She has no compunction in moving Labour beyond our comfort zone and is determined to build a team ready to chart a route forward".

The Guardian

Beyond anecdote, we know very little about what kind and quantity of information is being delisted from search results, what sources are being delisted and on what scale, what kinds of requests fail and in what proportion, and what are Google's guidelines in striking the balance between individual privacy and freedom of expression interests.

The Guardian - Tech

Gisby was earmarked to receive a bonus of up to £371,000, but Network Rail said he would be leaving in February without any additional payment beyond that stipulated in his contract.

The Guardian - Business

The seats extend beyond inner-city areas to include places such as Southampton, Oxford, Sherwood, Ipswich and Northampton.

The Guardian

Though all of us are all sensitive to heat, and quick to react when it climbs above our comfort levels, our knowledge of how it might affect our health doesn't really go beyond sunstrokes and fainting spells.

The Guardian

The report says 2014 was a very demanding year in which MSF was stretched way beyond its limits.

The Guardian

It is now beyond doubt that by the early 1990s the British state had agents littered all over the most effective paramilitary movement in the western world – the Provisional IRA.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you wish to convey. "Beyond" can suggest both surpassing limits and being inaccessible, so choose synonyms carefully to refine your message.

Common error

Avoid using "beyond" in overly abstract or vague contexts where a more specific word could provide clarity. For example, instead of saying "the idea is beyond comprehension", try "the idea is incomprehensible" for a more direct statement.

Linguistic Context

The word "beyond" functions as a preposition, indicating a position further away than something else. It also serves as an adverb, signifying additionally or further along. As a noun, it refers to the unknown or the afterlife. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatile usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

15%

Lifestyle

10%

Less common in

Books

8%

Sport

7%

Tech

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "beyond" is a versatile term functioning as a preposition, adverb, and noun, each with distinct meanings. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and sees frequent use across diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. When aiming for precision, consider the subtle differences between "beyond" and related phrases like "past" or "exceeding". Being mindful of potential overuse in overly abstract situations will enhance clarity and impact of writing. Remember, "beyond" adds depth to both spatial descriptions and abstract ideas.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

past

Indicates being further along in time or space, similar to "beyond" in its spatial and temporal senses.

exceeding

Implies surpassing a certain limit or boundary, like "beyond" when used to describe exceeding expectations.

further than

Directly expresses being at a greater distance, mirroring "beyond" in its spatial meaning.

outside of

Indicates being outside the limits or scope of something, akin to "beyond" in a metaphorical sense.

surpassing

Conveys exceeding or outdoing, similar to "beyond" when indicating superiority.

on the far side of

Similar to "beyond" in indicating position relative to a barrier or boundary.

in excess of

Denotes exceeding a specific quantity or amount, comparable to "beyond" in numerical contexts.

above and beyond

Emphasizes exceeding expectations or requirements significantly, intensifying the meaning of "beyond".

transcending

Implies going beyond the limits of ordinary experience or understanding, a more abstract use of "beyond".

after

When "beyond" is used to denote something that happens later in time, is replaceable by "after".

FAQs

How can I use "beyond" in a sentence?

"Beyond" can function as a preposition (e.g., "The mountains are beyond the river"), an adverb (e.g., "The company went beyond expectations"), or a noun (e.g., "Exploring the beyond").

What are some synonyms for "beyond"?

Depending on the context, you can use "past", "exceeding", "further than", or "outside of" as alternatives to "beyond".

Is it correct to say "above and beyond"?

Yes, "above and beyond" is an idiomatic expression that emphasizes exceeding expectations or requirements to a great degree. It is more emphatic than simply saying "beyond".

What's the difference between "beyond" and "beside"?

"Beyond" indicates something that is further away or exceeds a limit, while "beside" means next to or at the side of. They have entirely different meanings and cannot be used interchangeably.