does not surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not surpass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is equal to or lower than a certain limit or standard. Example: "The temperature today does not surpass the average for this time of year."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

In North America, ADA is a legal additive for food processing as long as the residual does not surpass the safe level.

Harvard University

And while the spaghetti al pomodoro does not surpass the great version at Scarpetta, it comes close enough to survive the comparison unscathed, and it contains way less butter.

The New York Times - Food

That way, the party can track how much each donor is generating to make sure the amount does not surpass the Federal Election Commission's limit of $28,500 -- or about 1.4 million searches.

The New York Times

We rely on stringers in every state and around the world for routine coverage of stories that too often does not surpass the quality or speed of the wires and that requires considerable effort editing and coordinating.

The New York Times

But even if it were, that does not surpass the feat of Cruyff, who, after being ushered away from Ajax in 1983, vowed to make the club rue the day they suggested a 36-year-old could no longer make a country's footballers dance to his tune – and this at a time when Shakin' Stevens was king.

The Guardian - Sport

The animals chosen are, with two exceptions, already described in text-books available in every laboratory, and we are at a loss to discover what particular office the present volume serves to fill, as in fulness, accuracy, or mode of treatment it does not surpass its predecessors.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

She doesn't surpass, or equal, Curry — no one could.

The New Yorker

The movies involve a midrange, in which acting doesn't surpass character and directorial invention doesn't outleap story, and which admits neither expressive excess nor opacity.

The New Yorker

Even the bullet-trainlike greyhound, similar in build and running style to the cheetah, doesn't surpass 40 miles per hour.

The New York Times

"This amount is less than 10% of the amount Apple requested and probably doesn't surpass by too much the amount Apple spent litigating this case".

BBC

The G3 doesn't surpass the iPhone 6, but it offers a phone every bit as impressive while taking a completely different approach.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "does not surpass", ensure the context clearly defines the limit or standard being referred to. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the intended comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "does not surpass" when a stronger term like "equals" or "matches" is more appropriate. Ensure that the phrase accurately reflects the relationship between the items being compared and avoid overuse in informal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not surpass" functions as a comparative verb phrase, indicating that something does not exceed a specific limit or standard. As Ludwig AI shows, it's frequently used to establish boundaries or upper limits within various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

48%

News & Media

35%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "does not surpass" is a grammatically sound and relatively common construction used to indicate that something remains at or below a certain level or limit. As shown by Ludwig AI, it frequently appears in scientific, news, and academic contexts. Alternatives include phrases like "does not exceed" or "is no greater than". When using this phrase, it's important to ensure the context clearly defines the limit being referenced to avoid ambiguity. While the phrase is generally acceptable, it may be more appropriate to use stronger, more direct terms, depending on the intended meaning and the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not exceed

Replaces "surpass" with a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

is less than or equal to

Uses a mathematical expression to convey the idea of not exceeding a certain value.

is no greater than

Emphasizes the upper limit or boundary that should not be crossed.

does not go beyond

Focuses on the spatial or abstract limit that is not reached.

does not outstrip

Replaces "surpass" with a less common but similar verb, indicating that something doesn't become bigger or more important.

fails to exceed

Uses 'fails' to indicate the action of going beyond a certain limit did not happen.

remains below

Highlights that something stays under a specific threshold.

is capped at

Implies there is a maximum fixed limit that cannot be surpassed.

is limited to

Focuses on the restriction or constraint that prevents something from exceeding a certain level.

doesn't measure up to

Shifts the meaning slightly to suggest a lack of quality or ability to reach a certain standard.

FAQs

How can I use "does not surpass" in a sentence?

Use "does not surpass" to indicate that a value, quantity, or level remains below a certain limit. For instance, "The project's budget "does not surpass" $1 million" means the spending will be at or below that amount.

What are some alternatives to "does not surpass"?

You can use alternatives such as "does not exceed", "is less than or equal to", or "is no greater than", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to use "does not exceed" or "does not surpass"?

"Does not exceed" is generally more common and widely understood. "Does not surpass" is also correct but might sound slightly more formal or literary. The best choice depends on the context and your desired tone.

What's the difference between "does not surpass" and "is equivalent to"?

"Does not surpass" indicates that something is at or below a certain level, whereas "is equivalent to" means that two things are exactly equal. They are not interchangeable; use "does not surpass" when specifying a maximum limit, and "is equivalent to" when stating equality.