it surpasses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it surpasses" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something exceeds or goes beyond a certain limit, standard, or expectation. Example: "The performance of the new model surpasses all previous versions in terms of efficiency."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Still, CBS has suffered some nicks to its image, even as it surpasses its rivals in the ratings race for November, a "sweeps month" that determines advertising rates.

The New York Times

A tap is considered feasible if the cost of water saved by it surpasses its installation, running and maintenance costs during its useful life.

Applied Water Science

It may or may not be, depending on whether it surpasses its next hurdles.

Forbes

But even if ITER meets its objectives — even if it surpasses them, and achieves ignition — the work ahead is humbling.

The New Yorker

But even if ITER meets its objectives— even if it surpasses them, and achieves ignition the work ahead is humbling.

The New Yorker

Praxis is dialectical in the Hegelian sense that it surpasses and subsumes its other, the practico-inert.

SEP

In its wisdom and simplicity, it surpasses most of the pack of texts trying to do the same.

HuffPost

Today Balanchine's posthumous influence has become the main global force in ballet; it surpasses that of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes in its influence on international repertory.

The New York Times - Arts

Now it surpasses theirs.

The Economist

It surpasses the cinema.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Last year it surpassed its sibling for the first time, pulling in $4.9 billion worldwide.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it surpasses" when you want to emphasize that something has not only met but exceeded expectations or a previous standard. For instance, "The company's profits this quarter surpass all previous records."

Common error

Avoid using "it surpasses" when a simpler comparison is sufficient. Overusing it can sound pretentious or overly formal. For example, instead of saying "This phone's battery life surpasses that of the old model," you could simply say "This phone's battery life is better than the old model's."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it surpasses" functions as a comparative expression, indicating that something exceeds or is superior to something else. It emphasizes a qualitative or quantitative improvement, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples where "it surpasses" expectations, previous versions, or competitors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it surpasses" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase for expressing that something exceeds or is superior to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is widely used across various domains, particularly in news, scientific, and business contexts. While generally neutral in register, it’s advisable to avoid overuse to prevent a pretentious tone. Consider alternatives like ""it exceeds"" or ""it outperforms"" based on the specific context. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively incorporate "it surpasses" into your writing to emphasize the superior quality or performance of a subject.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it exceeds

Implies surpassing a limit or expectation, similar to "it surpasses" but more general.

it goes beyond

Implies exceeding expectations or limitations.

it outdoes

Means surpassing something in achievement or performance.

it outstrips

Suggests surpassing something, often in terms of speed or progress.

it is better than

A simpler way of stating that something is of a higher quality or standard.

it is superior to

Expresses a higher quality or rank compared to something else.

it transcends

Indicates going beyond the limits of something, often in a more abstract or philosophical sense.

it overtakes

Indicates surpassing something in a competitive context.

it eclipses

Implies overshadowing or surpassing something in importance or fame.

it leaves behind

Suggests a significant improvement or advancement compared to a previous state.

FAQs

How to use "it surpasses" in a sentence?

You can use "it surpasses" to indicate that something exceeds expectations or is better than something else. For example, "The quality of this product "it surpasses" our initial expectations."

What can I say instead of "it surpasses"?

You can use alternatives like "it exceeds", "it outperforms", or "it is better than" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "it surpasses" or "it exceeds"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""it surpasses"" implies a more significant degree of exceeding than ""it exceeds"". The choice depends on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

What's the difference between "it surpasses" and "it outperforms"?

"It surpasses" generally indicates a higher level of quality or achievement, while ""it outperforms"" specifically refers to better performance, often in a measurable way.