exceed at

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceed at" is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use phrases such as "excel at" or "be especially good at" instead. For example: She excels at playing the violin.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

As documented in another recent budget office analysis, the federal deficit is already expected to exceed at least $700 billion every year over the next decade, doubling the national debt to more than $20 trillion.

The New York Times

What are the some other lessons you've learned over the course of your life that have shaped the way you lead? A. I was part of a family that grew up on the other side of the tracks, and that gave me tremendous motivation to want to exceed at a level that would create an environment for my own family that was different from the one I was in.

The New York Times

Generally, ESPs are considered only when water rates exceed at least 100 bpd.

Gas Well Deliquification Solution to Gas Well Liquid Loading Problems

Conventional wisdom is that Re∗ should exceed at least two and perhaps be as much as five before viscous effects are insignificant.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

It was found that the values of eccentricity index in trees growing on stable slopes rarely exceed at ± 100%, while in trees growing on landslides they can reach hundreds to thousands per cent.

CATENA

It may be noted for very low frequency input, the ride quality may be deteriorated, as vertical acceleration may exceed at some point or very close to prescribed limit.

Urban Rail Transit

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

In fact, its £965,000 takings from 421 cinemas were exceeded at the weekend only by Jurassic World.

The Guardian - Film

Either this figure cannot be exceeded at all (except by amending the constitution) or it can be exceeded only with the approval of the voters at an election.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But ever since Hillary Rodham played a star role on her high school debate team, she has exceeded at the formal confrontation of the debate stage.

The New York Times

The landmark penalty exceeds, at least before adjustment for inflation, the fines meted out in the 1980s-era scandals involving Ivan F. Boesky and Michael R. Milken, records at the time.

The New York Times

The overtime game was seen by 27.6 million viewers — in the afternoon — a figure exceeded at these Games by just two prime-time Olympic broadcasts on NBC.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the grammatically questionable phrase "exceed at", opt for clearer and more accepted alternatives like "excel at" or "surpass in". This ensures clarity and credibility in your writing.

Common error

A frequent error is pairing "exceed" with "at" when describing skill or ability. "Exceed" typically refers to surpassing a limit or quantity, so using it with "at" in this context creates grammatical awkwardness. Use it instead as a verb that indicates surpassing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed at" functions as a verb phrase intended to describe excelling or surpassing in a specific area. However, Ludwig AI points out that this construction is grammatically incorrect. The intended meaning is often to convey high proficiency or performance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exceed at" is used to express excelling or surpassing in a specific domain, but it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While examples can be found across various sources, including scientific and news contexts, authoritative writing typically avoids this construction. For clarity and correctness, alternatives like "excel at" or rephrasing the sentence are recommended. Although somewhat frequent, especially in scientific and media contexts, opting for grammatically sound alternatives enhances the credibility and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excel at

This alternative provides a grammatically correct way to describe someone's proficiency or skill in a particular area.

surpass at

Similar to "exceed at" in meaning, but often used incorrectly, though some sources might use it.

be proficient at

Focuses on the skill level achieved rather than the act of surpassing a limit.

be skilled at

Highlights competence in a specific area.

outstrip at

Emphasizes exceeding expectations or performance levels but is less common.

be better than at

A more descriptive way of expressing superiority in a specific task or skill. It is less concise than "excel at".

outdo at

Implies surpassing someone else's efforts or achievements but might be awkward depending on context.

be superior at

Suggests a higher level of ability or quality in a particular domain. Can sound slightly formal.

go beyond at

Focuses on surpassing a limit or expectation, but the 'at' might still sound awkward depending on sentence structure.

rise above at

Suggests overcoming challenges to achieve a higher level but it is semantically distant from the original query.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct way to say "exceed at"?

Instead of "exceed at", use phrases like "excel at" or "surpass in" to describe surpassing in skill or ability.

Is "exceed at" considered proper English?

No, "exceed at" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternatives like "excel at" or rephrase the sentence to avoid the construction altogether.

How can I rephrase a sentence that uses "exceed at"?

Rephrase sentences using "excel at", "surpass in", or simply use "excel" as a verb. For example, instead of "He exceeds at math", say "He excels at math".

What are some common mistakes people make when using the word "exceed"?

One common mistake is using "exceed" with "at" to describe skills. "Exceed" typically refers to surpassing limits or quantities. Avoid saying "exceed at" and opt for grammatically sound alternatives.