cannot surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cannot surpass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is unable to exceed or go beyond a certain limit or standard. Example: "In terms of quality, this product cannot surpass the excellence of its predecessor."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Their main obstacle to credit is a restriction on mortgage loans, which cannot surpass half of a property's value in South Korea.

The Economist

Under the state's class-reduction amendment, high school classrooms cannot surpass a 25-student limit in core subjects, like English or math.

The New York Times

"And my analyst said that the central conflict in any man's life is with his father, and you're in a dilemma: you want to impress your father, but you cannot surpass him, because if you do, it humiliates him, even if he's dead".

The New Yorker

In the abstract, Kathy Anzivino believes there must be some pinnacle of amenities that universities simply cannot surpass, some outer limit so far beyond the hot tubs, waterfalls and pool slides she offers at the University of Houston that even the most pampered students will never demand it and the most recruitment-crazed colleges will never consent to put it on their grounds.

The New York Times

Currently, the performance of VLC cannot surpass the current WiFi technology.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

The idea behind is that if those indicators perform badly, the dimensional score cannot surpass a certain benchmark level.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

"An overstrained enthusiasm", he remarks, "is more pardonable with respect to Shakespear than the want of it; for our admiration cannot easily surpass his genius".

Wikipedia

At his greatest, he cannot be surpassed.

Independent

Despite these gadgets' superhuman ability to see through walls, sometimes more prosaic techniques -- like shutting the power off before drilling near an electrical outlet -- cannot be surpassed.

The New York Times - Tech

She is wholly accepting of the US food landscape around her, but is open to foreign alternatives, as her (very kind) essay "English Food" testifies: "When it comes to cakes and puddings, savouries, bread and tea cakes, the English cannot be surpassed".

The Guardian - Books

The Obamas have been a bittersweet presence in this campaign season — a poignant reminder, for the many of us who love and admire them, that while we duke it out to choose their successors, the family currently occupying the White House cannot be surpassed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot surpass" to clearly indicate an upper limit or constraint that cannot be exceeded. This phrase is suitable for both formal and informal writing, providing a strong and unambiguous way to express limitations.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot surpass" when a more specific verb would provide greater clarity. For example, instead of saying "The budget cannot surpass expectations", consider "The budget will likely not meet expectations", depending on your intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot surpass" functions as a modal expression indicating an impossibility or limitation. It asserts that a certain threshold, level, or achievement is unattainable, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

47%

News & Media

41%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cannot surpass" is a versatile phrase used to express limitations or the inability to exceed a certain level. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts, ranging from scientific discussions to news reports. Its primary function is to set boundaries and clarify expectations. While commonly found in science and news media, its neutral register makes it adaptable to both formal and informal communication. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "cannot exceed" or "cannot outdo" to convey similar meanings while diversifying your language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cannot exceed

Focuses specifically on the inability to go beyond a certain quantifiable limit or boundary.

cannot outdo

Highlights the inability to perform better than something or someone else.

cannot go beyond

Stresses the restriction of not being able to exceed a specific limit or boundary.

cannot transcend

Emphasizes the inability to go beyond the limits of a particular situation or state.

cannot top

Indicates the impossibility of achieving a higher level or position.

cannot beat

Highlights the inability to defeat or outperform something or someone.

cannot eclipse

Focuses on the inability to overshadow or surpass in importance or achievement.

cannot better

Indicates the impossibility of improving upon a particular standard or level.

cannot pass

Focuses on the inability to move beyond a certain point or level.

cannot overcome

Highlights the impossibility of defeating or surpassing a particular challenge or obstacle.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot surpass" in a sentence?

The phrase "cannot surpass" is used to indicate that something is unable to exceed a certain limit or standard. For example: "In terms of quality, this product "cannot surpass" the excellence of its predecessor."

What are some alternatives to saying "cannot surpass"?

You can use alternatives like "cannot exceed", "cannot outdo", or "cannot transcend" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "cannot surpass" in formal writing?

Yes, "cannot surpass" is appropriate for formal writing. It's a clear and direct way to express limitations or constraints. It's also appropriate for less formal writing. There are no constraints on the contexts where this phrase is suitable.

What's the difference between "cannot surpass" and "cannot equal"?

"Cannot surpass" means something cannot exceed or be better than something else, implying a ceiling. "Cannot equal" simply means something cannot be the same as something else, without necessarily implying a limit or boundary. For example: "The performance "cannot surpass" the original" versus "The two scores "cannot equal" each other".