exceed capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

'exceed capacity' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to describe a situation where something has been filled or used beyond its limit. For example, "The stadium was so full that it exceeded capacity."

✓ Grammatically correct

Email management

Healthcare

Transportation

Manufacturing

Energy

Training programs

Taxation

Optimization

Nuclear energy

Film production

Cooling systems

Solar energy

Dentistry

Water management

Diaper banks

Criminal justice

Flood management

Healthcare workload

Cellular biology

Refugee processing

Gene therapy

Subway systems

Homeless shelters

Jail systems

School systems

Online classes

Storm water systems

Restaurants

Geospatial data

Social networks

Comic conventions

Prison systems

Structural safety

Hotel industry

Telephone networks

Pandemic planning

Brain activity

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

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

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

California currently has the most pressing problems, with demand next year expected to exceed capacity by 5,000 megawatts, the equivalent of five large power plants or enough to power five million homes.

The New York Times

U.S. officials are talking to the governments of Jordan, Qatar and Turkey about opening additional training camps in those nations, should the volume of recruits exceed capacity in the two facilities that are being established in Saudi Arabia.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Processing centers for refugees had exceeded capacity.

The Washington Post

But there, too, demand far exceeds capacity.

The New York Times - Health

The system is already exceeding capacity on several key lines.

The Guardian

The system has not yet exceeded capacity, though it is close, Mr. Hess said.

The New York Times

In South Carolina, the average daily population in our jails has exceeded capacity since 1989.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about limitations, use "exceed capacity" to clearly indicate that a system or resource has been stretched beyond its intended maximum.

Common error

Avoid using "exceed capacity" when you actually mean "exceed capability". "Capacity" refers to the maximum amount that something can contain or produce, while "capability" refers to the ability to do something. For example, a stadium can "exceed capacity" when too many people enter, but a person can "exceed capability" when asked to perform a task beyond their skill set.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceed capacity" functions as a verb phrase, indicating that something has surpassed its maximum limit. Ludwig AI confirms this usage, providing examples across various contexts where a limit is surpassed.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "exceed capacity" is a verb phrase used to describe when something goes beyond its maximum limit. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples from diverse sources, including news, science, and academia. While it is a common phrase, it's important to use it accurately, distinguishing it from similar terms like "exceed capability". When communicating about limitations, this phrase accurately conveys the idea that a system or resource is under strain. By understanding its meaning and usage, writers can effectively use "exceed capacity" to communicate clearly in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Surpass the limit

Emphasizes going beyond an established boundary or restriction.

Overtake the maximum

Focuses on exceeding a previously defined highest point or quantity.

Go beyond the threshold

Highlights crossing a critical point or boundary.

Surmount the capability

Indicates exceeding the inherent ability or potential.

Outstrip the availability

Stresses that demand or need is greater than the available resources.

Overwhelm the system

Suggests that the system cannot manage anymore.

Overflow the resources

Indicates that available resources are not enough.

Stretch beyond its limits

The limits of the resource are extended.

Strain the resources

Available resources are placed under greater pressure.

Overstretch the capability

Available resources are used to its full extent.

FAQs

How is "exceed capacity" used in a sentence?

You can use "exceed capacity" to describe scenarios where a system, space, or resource is utilized beyond its maximum designed or intended limit. For example: "The server began to slow down when user requests "exceed capacity"".

What are some alternatives to "exceed capacity"?

Similar phrases include "surpass the limit", "overtake the maximum", or "go beyond the threshold". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exceed capacity" or "exceed capability"?

The choice between "exceed capacity" and "exceed capability" depends on what you want to express. "Capacity" refers to a measurable limit, such as the number of people a room can hold. "Capability" refers to the ability to perform a task. Thus, use "exceed capacity" when a limit is surpassed, and "exceed capability" when an ability is surpassed.

What does it mean when something "exceeds capacity"?

When something "exceeds capacity", it means that the demand or amount has surpassed the maximum limit that a system or resource can handle. This can lead to problems such as overcrowding, system slowdowns, or resource depletion.