is overtaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is overtaken" is correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: His bike was quickly overtaken by the other cyclists in the race.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

How long until America's lead is overtaken, too?

The New York Times

He often is overtaken by shame and frustration that lead toward either despair or rage.

The New York Times

But that despair is overtaken by faith: Winter will turn to spring.

The New York Times - Arts

Memories fade, anger dissipates and one alleged miscarriage of justice is overtaken by others.

The Guardian - Film

A man who is overtaken by women -- in this case, two -- is liberated only when he is rid of both.

The New York Times

But fairly quickly your suspicion is overtaken by the fact that the track is actually pretty good.

The New Yorker

If, as often happens, a warm front is overtaken by a cold front moving around a low-pressure centre, the end result is an occluded front.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It is in the third scene, devoted to the raising of Lazarus, that "The Other Mary" is overtaken by a divine weirdness.

The New Yorker

With each new association, however modest, another shadowy redoubt of chaos is overtaken and tamed by the glorious human mind, further closing the distance between cause and effect.

The New York Times - Health

Sometimes in journalism your work is overtaken by unpredictable events, and this has been one of those times at the magazine.

The New York Times

To be touched by Ms. Ananiashvili's performance was easy: It is filled with intelligence and nuance, a Juliet who is overtaken by events and deeply in love.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is overtaken" when something is literally passed or figuratively surpassed by something else. Ensure the context makes it clear what is doing the overtaking.

Common error

Avoid using "is overtaken" when the active voice is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The car is overtaken by the truck", consider "The truck overtakes the car" if the emphasis is on the truck's action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is overtaken" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is receiving the action of being surpassed or passed. This usage is confirmed by Ludwig, showcasing its grammatical correctness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is overtaken" functions as a grammatically sound passive verb phrase that's frequently employed to describe the act of something being surpassed or replaced. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and offers numerous examples across diverse contexts. While it maintains a neutral tone, its presence in news, science, and other professional fields indicates a level of formality. When considering alternative phrasings, options like "is surpassed" or "is outstripped" can offer similar meanings. To use "is overtaken" effectively, ensure that the context clearly identifies the agent and object involved in the overtaking action. Overall, "is overtaken" is a versatile and valuable addition to your written communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is surpassed

Implies exceeding or exceeding a limit, similar to overtaking, but can also apply to abstract concepts or achievements.

is outstripped

Implies exceeding or surpassing, especially in terms of speed or progress.

is exceeded

Suggests going beyond a limit or boundary, often numerically or statistically.

is outdone

Implies being surpassed in performance or achievement.

is overshadowed

Implies being less prominent or noticeable due to another thing becoming dominant.

is supplanted

Suggests replacement, often in a more formal or systemic way.

is superseded

Similar to supplanted, but often used in legal or technical contexts referring to the replacement of a standard or law.

is overcome

Suggests conquering or prevailing over something, which can be an obstacle or a feeling.

is overwhelmed

Conveys a sense of being inundated or overpowered, often by emotions or circumstances.

is eclipsed

Suggests obscuring or diminishing the importance of something, often temporarily.

FAQs

How can I use "is overtaken" in a sentence?

Use "is overtaken" to indicate that something is surpassed or passed by something else. For example, "The initial excitement "is overtaken" by the reality of the situation".

What are some alternatives to "is overtaken"?

Alternatives include "is surpassed", "is exceeded", or "is outstripped", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use the active or passive voice with "overtake"?

It depends on the context. Use the active voice (e.g., "The car overtakes the bus") when you want to emphasize the actor. Use the passive voice ("is overtaken") when you want to emphasize the object being acted upon or when the actor is unknown or unimportant.

What's the difference between "is overtaken" and "is surpassed"?

"Is overtaken" often implies a literal passing or surpassing in a race or competition. "Is surpassed" is more general and can refer to exceeding a limit or achieving a higher level in a broader sense. For example, "The company's profits "is surpassed" expectations".