exceeding capacity

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exceeding capacity" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where something surpasses its limits or maximum capability, such as in discussions about physical space, resources, or performance. Example: "The venue was exceeding capacity, leading to safety concerns and a need for crowd control measures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

For one thing, they say, the current bridges are already exceeding capacity, as put on vivid display when a crack was discovered on the double-deck I-64 bridge in 2011, closing it temporarily.

The New York Times

Geospatial big data refers to spatial data sets exceeding capacity of current computing systems.

Big Data Research

The framework accounts for two types of failure; demand exceeding capacity and accumulated damage exceeding allowable limit.

Structural Safety

As a corollary to this, exceeding capacity constraints presents one possible means by which a system may suffer performance degradations.

Brain Imaging and Behavior

Ultimately, an eye clinic will need to take these factors into account to determine how well utilised the service will be, without exceeding capacity.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

"Demand exceeds capacity on every one of our campuses," he said.

The New York Times

The system often exceeds capacity during heavy storms and discharges the overflow into local waterways.

The New York Times

The owner, Gabriel Stulman, once ran the Little Owl, and, as at that restaurant, the demand entirely exceeds capacity.

The New Yorker

After the site opened, demand soon exceeded capacity, and there is now a waiting list to join.

The New York Times

Comic-Con tickets sell out far in advance because demand far exceeds capacity at the San Diego Convention Center.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where something is "exceeding capacity", be specific about what is being exceeded (e.g., "The hospital is exceeding capacity in its ICU beds") to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "exceeding capacity" without specifying what is exceeding the capacity. For instance, instead of saying "The system is exceeding capacity", specify which system (e.g., "The server is exceeding capacity") to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exceeding capacity" functions as a descriptive term indicating that a system, resource, or space is operating beyond its intended or designed limits. It often appears in contexts discussing limitations, constraints, and potential failures or performance degradation, as Ludwig AI suggests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exceeding capacity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used term to describe situations where a system, resource, or space operates beyond its intended limits. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, highlighting its function as a descriptive term. The phrase appears across various contexts, including News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business settings, with a neutral register that suits both professional and general discourse. When using "exceeding capacity", it's essential to specify what is exceeding the capacity to avoid vagueness and ensure clarity. Alternatives such as "over capacity" or "surpassing the limit" may be used depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

over capacity

A more concise alternative, implying the limit has been surpassed.

surpassing the limit

Focuses on the action of going beyond a defined boundary.

beyond maximum capacity

Emphasizes that the maximum possible level has been exceeded.

outstripping available resources

Highlights the resources being insufficient for the demand.

demands outstrip capacity

Shifts the focus to the demands exceeding the available capacity.

overwhelmed

Implies being burdened beyond the ability to cope or manage.

pushing the boundaries

Implies testing the limits of what is possible.

straining resources

Focuses on the negative impact of exceeding capacity on available resources.

stretched to the limit

Indicates that resources or systems are being used to their fullest extent.

beyond its capabilities

Implies that something is attempting to do more than it is able to.

FAQs

How do I use "exceeding capacity" in a sentence?

Use "exceeding capacity" to describe situations where a system, space, or resource is operating beyond its designed or intended limit. For example, "The bridge is "exceeding capacity" during rush hour".

What are some alternatives to saying "exceeding capacity"?

Alternatives include "over capacity", "surpassing the limit", or "beyond maximum capacity", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "exceeding capacity" or "over capacity"?

Both "exceeding capacity" and "over capacity" are acceptable, but "exceeding capacity" is more formal and descriptive, while "over capacity" is more concise and commonly used.

In what situations is it important to specify what is "exceeding capacity"?

It's important to specify what's "exceeding capacity" when the context isn't clear. For instance, instead of just saying "The system is exceeding capacity", specify, "The data storage system is "exceeding capacity", necessitating additional servers".