exceed capacities

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceed capacities" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing situations where something surpasses the limits or abilities of a system, organization, or individual. Example: "The sudden influx of customers caused the restaurant to exceed capacities, leading to long wait times for service."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

Budget cuts will reduce spending on the F.A.A.'s airspace modernization program, virtually guaranteeing that in some areas, demand will soon exceed capacity.

The New York Times

The Guardian has obtained internal Faccenda documents highlighting how the supply of birds can exceed capacity at the abattoir and how some end up stored in crates overnight.

The Guardian

But with email volume rising to meet, and then exceed capacity (it's a good rule of life: volume always rises to exceed capacity), it's time for us to revisit the social convention that all answerable email deserves an answer.

Harvard Business Review

Dr. Nirav R. Shah, the state's commissioner of health, directed facilities to exceed capacity if it could be done safely.

The New York Times

Sales for 2011 already exceed capacity, which will surpass 1 Gigawatt.

Huffington Post

Demand will far exceed capacity to produce dentists for years to come.

Huffington Post

If the dams exceed capacity, many more areas of Ethiopia could face catastrophic flooding.

Unicef

Participants expressed a desire to be able to say 'no' to treating patients of a lower priority when workloads exceed capacity and for this be supported by management.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

When cellular protein folding demands in the cell exceed capacity, misfolded proteins accumulate within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), causing ER stress.

eLife

Processing centers for refugees had exceeded capacity.

The Washington Post

But there, too, demand far exceeds capacity.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "exceed capacities", ensure the context clearly defines what capacities are being exceeded. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "exceed capacities" without clearly specifying the capacities in question. Ambiguity can confuse the reader.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed capacities" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often acting as the predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of surpassing the limits or abilities of something. While Ludwig provides examples of similar phrases, the specific phrase is rare.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceed capacities" is grammatically correct but lacks substantial real-world usage examples to fully define its contextual preferences. Ludwig's AI confirms its grammatical correctness. Related phrases, such as "surpass limitations" and "overwhelm capabilities", offer similar meanings. When using "exceed capacities", ensure clear definition of the limits being exceeded for clarity. While the phrase itself isn't frequently used, understanding its function and purpose is key to using it appropriately in relevant contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass limitations

Replaces "exceed" with "surpass" and "capacities" with "limitations", focusing on the act of going beyond defined boundaries.

overwhelm capabilities

Emphasizes the overwhelming nature of exceeding capabilities, suggesting a more forceful surpassing.

outstrip resources

Focuses on resources being insufficient, instead of abilities, while maintaining the concept of surpassing available amounts.

strain resources

Highlights the strain placed on resources when demand or usage goes beyond what is available.

overextend resources

Highlights the act of pushing resources beyond their limits, implying a potential breaking point.

max out capabilities

Uses a more informal tone suggesting reaching the maximum potential of a system or individual.

reach maximum capacity

Expresses that the capacity has reached its peak without necessarily exceeding it.

go beyond limits

A simple and direct way of expressing surpassing established boundaries or constraints.

breach limits

Implies a violation or breaking of established limits or capacities.

surmount abilities

Focuses on overcoming abilities, suggesting a challenge or obstacle being surpassed.

FAQs

How can I use "exceed capacities" in a sentence?

You can use "exceed capacities" when referring to a situation where something surpasses its maximum limit. For example: "The demand for the product began to "exceed capacities", leading to shortages."

What are some alternatives to saying "exceed capacities"?

Some alternatives include "surpass limitations", "overwhelm capabilities", or "outstrip resources", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "exceed capacity" or "exceed capacities"?

"Exceed capacity" refers to a single, general limit, while "exceed capacities" refers to multiple or specific limits. The correct choice depends on the context. For instance, "The system exceeded its design capacity" versus "The demands of today's traveler may "exceed the capacities" of traditional hotel personnel."

What does it mean when something "exceeds capacities"?

When something "exceeds capacities", it means it has surpassed its designed or intended limits. This often results in strain, failure, or the need for adjustments.