excel over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "excel over" is not commonly used in written English and may not be considered correct.
It can be used when comparing two entities to indicate that one performs better than the other, but "excel at" or "excel in" are more standard expressions. Example: "She tends to excel over her peers in mathematics."

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Born a year apart, Mr Coe and Mr Ovett strove to excel over the same distances the 800 metres, 1,500 metres and imperial mile.

The Economist

Olympic events like the marathon show how some athletes can excel over what most of us consider to be a very long distance.

Harvard University

They excel over the existing solutions through the introduction of two co-ordinated feedbacks of the output estimation error: one correcting the continuous state estimates and another adjusting the discrete ones.

IFAC-PapersOnLine

The authors show that the best-performing PV plants today excel over the medium-tier ones thanks to the quality and reliability of the components used, the plant design, the quality of the installation, and the owners' operation and maintenance policies.

The Performance of Photovoltaic (PV) Systems Modelling, Measurement and Assessment

In those paragraphs that describe how growing up in a windy country shaped his game, briefly allowing him to excel over more talented opponents who tended to get frustrated in unpredictable conditions, he tells us that he was "able to use the currents kind of the way a pitcher uses spit.

The New Yorker

People don't get interested when things are cheap, only when equities excel over time.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

This is something that Mr. Vanska excels at over and over here: creating a sense of impending event, then delivering even more than he promised.

The New York Times

Between the two hydrogels, HPAS-AA hydrogel excels over the HPAS-NO hydrogel.

Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces

It also trailed its category over the three-year period, though it excelled over the five-year period.

The New York Times

He had the size and power of a sprinter but the conformation of a stayer (a horse that excels over a long distance).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Self-criticism is demanded, and the company has shown that it excels over time at adapting to and perhaps even co-opting its rivals' best ideas.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using stronger and more common alternatives like "outperform" or "surpass" for clearer and more impactful writing. These alternatives are generally preferred in formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "excel over" excessively in formal writing. While grammatically acceptable, it can sound awkward. Opt for more established phrases to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "excel over" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that one entity performs better than another. However, Ludwig AI suggests this phrase is not commonly used, and more standard expressions might be preferable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "excel over" is used to express superiority, but it's not as common or widely accepted as other alternatives such as "outperform" or "surpass". Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is not commonly used and suggests that there are more standard expressions available. While grammatically acceptable, its usage can sound awkward, especially in formal writing. As shown by Ludwig, this phrase is more prevalent in News & Media and Science contexts but less so in other categories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outperform

This is a direct synonym emphasizing superior performance.

surpass

This suggests exceeding a certain level or achievement.

outshine

This focuses on being more impressive or noticeable.

outdo

This implies exceeding someone's previous efforts.

exceed

Similar to surpass, but can also refer to expectations or limits.

rise above

This suggests overcoming challenges to achieve a higher position.

triumph over

This conveys a sense of victory after a struggle.

be superior to

Directly states a higher level of quality or skill.

gain an advantage over

Focuses on obtaining a beneficial position relative to others.

be better than

A simpler way to express superiority.

FAQs

What does "excel over" mean?

The phrase "excel over" means to perform better than someone or something else. However, it's less common than alternatives like "outperform" or "surpass".

How can I use "excel over" in a sentence?

You can use "excel over" to compare the performance of two entities, for example: "In endurance sports, some athletes "excel over" others due to superior training and genetics."

What are some alternatives to "excel over"?

Some alternatives to "excel over" include "outperform", "surpass", "outshine", and "outdo". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "excel over" grammatically correct?

While not incorrect, "excel over" is less common and can sound awkward to some native English speakers. Phrases like "excel in" or "excel at" are more widely accepted and frequently used.