is surpassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is surpassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is currently exceeding or going beyond a certain standard or expectation. Example: "The athlete's performance this season is surpassing all previous records."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

In general, Miliband is surpassing expectations.

The Guardian - Opinion

Domestic consumption is surpassing the limits of production, causing inflation.

The New York Times

The Young Turk Government is surpassing in cruelty its predecessors.

The Guardian

So far, the program is surpassing its targets by 46 percent.

The New York Times

But it is surpassing in loftiness: its two masts top out at 118 and 113 feet.

The New York Times - Arts

With the same strategy, Mr. Lazio is surpassing even Mr. Giuliani's records.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

Wit is surpassed only by acumen in this pithy book.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

That figure is surpassed only in Seattle ($129,259) and San Jose, Calif.

The New York Times

Soon the sleaze factor is surpassed by blood as the bodies begin to pile up.

Stanford University

However, when τ is set to be 0.75, its performance is surpassed by that with τ=0.5.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Its surface gravity is surpassed only by Jupiter.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is surpassing" to clearly indicate that something is exceeding expectations, limits, or previous performance. It's effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "is surpassing" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "is beating" or "is doing better than" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is surpassing" functions as a present progressive verb phrase, indicating an action that is currently in progress and exceeding a certain point or expectation. Ludwig examples confirm its use in describing ongoing improvements or outperformance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is surpassing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used verb phrase indicating that something is exceeding expectations or limits. As evidenced by Ludwig examples, it appears most frequently in news and scientific contexts. While technically correct, it may sound overly formal in casual conversation, where alternatives might be more appropriate. Ludwig AI confirms the acceptability of the phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is exceeding

Replaces "surpassing" with a direct synonym, focusing on the action of going beyond.

is outstripping

Suggests a faster rate of exceeding, implying a competitive aspect.

is outdoing

Highlights the act of performing better than someone or something else.

is transcending

Implies going beyond limitations or boundaries, often in a more abstract sense.

is overshadowing

Focuses on the effect of something becoming more prominent than something else.

is eclipsing

Similar to overshadowing, but suggests a more complete and sudden dominance.

is bettering

Focuses on the act of improving upon a previous standard or performance.

is improving upon

More explicitly states the act of making something better than it previously was.

is leaving behind

Implies a significant gap is forming between two compared items.

is moving past

Suggests progress and development, with the subject outgrowing its previous state.

FAQs

How to use "is surpassing" in a sentence?

You can use "is surpassing" to describe something that is exceeding expectations, limits, or a previous standard. For example: "The company's profits this quarter "are surpassing" all previous records."

What can I say instead of "is surpassing"?

You can use alternatives like "is exceeding", "is outstripping", or "is outdoing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is surpassing" or "surpasses"?

Both are grammatically correct, but they convey different tenses. "Is surpassing" indicates a continuous action in the present, while "surpasses" indicates a simple present action or a general truth. Choose the tense that best fits the context of your sentence.

What's the difference between "is surpassing" and "is exceeding"?

While both phrases are similar, "is surpassing" often implies going beyond expectations or a specific benchmark, while "is exceeding" simply means going beyond a limit or amount. The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.