nearly surpassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "nearly surpassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something is close to exceeding or going beyond a certain limit or standard. Example: "The athlete's performance was nearly surpassing the world record, leaving spectators in awe."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The government identified the medical industry as one of seven major areas for development in its most recent five-year economic plan, and the country's medical sector invested $160 billion in research and development in 2012, nearly surpassing Japan, according to a recent report by the Boston-based Lux Research. Boston-based Lux Research

The New York Times

In the first three quarters of 2013, Series A rounds have amassed $5.43B, nearly surpassing the 2012 total of $5.96B while year to date Angel investments of $545M are well under the $707M total of last year.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

And he gave the ball to Greene, who with 90 yards in the first half alone nearly surpassed his rushing total from the previous three games combined (100).

The New York Times - Sports

The payroll tax, underwriting social insurance programs, nearly surpassed the individual income tax as the single largest source of federal tax revenue in 2009.

The New York Times

Last week, the Dow Jones industrial average nearly surpassed the closely watched 12,000 level, but fell 166 points in late trading Friday as the protests in Egypt intensified and oil prices jumped 3.7 percent to $89.34.

The New York Times

Through the scope of its ambitions and the compressed power of the life experience that "Out 1" unleashes, it nearly surpasses aesthetics to become a mighty natural monument in the creative landscape, a lofty and awe-inspiring peak in the landscape of directorial adventure.

The New Yorker

The rainfall in Miyakejima nearly surpassed the record daily rainfall for October 27.

Wikipedia

In his shortened season, Barrett hit sixteen home runs, which matched his previous career high, and nearly surpassed his hit total from 2005.

Wikipedia

The Clippers nearly surpassed that number in a single game in December against the Denver Nuggets, when they received seven technical fouls.

Los Angeles Times

Their five turnovers in the first five minutes of the half nearly surpassed the six they had in the entire first half.

Los Angeles Times

With Vettel and Webber coming in one and two, respectively, it seems like they have a Shaq-and-Kobe-esque relationship, their fervor for victory nearly surpassed by their yearning to do so while looking better than the other.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "nearly surpassing", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being approached or exceeded. For better clarity, consider adding specific metrics or quantities.

Common error

Avoid using "nearly surpassing" when the actual surpassing has already occurred. The phrase indicates an almost-but-not-quite state, so using it post-surpassing creates ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nearly surpassing" functions as a descriptive modifier, indicating a state of approaching or being on the verge of exceeding a certain limit. Ludwig AI validates this usage as grammatically correct and appropriate for conveying proximity to surpassing.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "nearly surpassing" is used to describe a situation where something is close to exceeding a limit, but has not yet done so. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and suggests that its register is neutral, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While the phrase is not exceedingly common, as indicated by the number of examples, it is versatile enough to feature across various sources, including news, scientific publications, and encyclopedias. When using the phrase, be sure to provide clear context to indicate exactly what is being approached or exceeded.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

almost exceeding

Focuses on the action of exceeding, emphasizing the closeness of achieving it.

approaching surpassing

Highlights the process of getting closer to surpassing, suggesting ongoing progress.

virtually surpassing

Indicates that for all practical purposes, the act of surpassing has almost occurred.

nearing surpassing

Similar to approaching, but with a sense of imminent surpassing.

on the verge of surpassing

Emphasizes that the act of surpassing is about to happen very soon.

close to exceeding

A more straightforward way of expressing nearness to surpassing.

about to surpass

Highlights an imminence of the surpassing action.

on the cusp of surpassing

Suggests being at a critical point right before surpassing.

within reach of surpassing

Highlights the accessibility of surpassing, indicating it is easily achievable.

not quite surpassing

Explicitly states that surpassing has not yet happened, but is extremely close.

FAQs

How can I use "nearly surpassing" in a sentence?

Use "nearly surpassing" to describe a situation where something is very close to exceeding a specific limit or standard. For example, "The company's profits were "nearly surpassing" last year's record."

What's a good alternative to "nearly surpassing"?

Alternatives include "almost exceeding", "close to surpassing", or "on the verge of surpassing". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Is it correct to say "nearly surpassed" instead of "nearly surpassing"?

Yes, "nearly surpassed" is grammatically correct. "Nearly surpassing" implies a continuous or ongoing process, while "nearly surpassed" refers to a completed action that almost, but didn't quite, exceed a limit.

What does "nearly surpassing" imply about the outcome?

"Nearly surpassing" implies that the limit or standard was not actually exceeded. It suggests a high degree of closeness to that limit, but stops short of confirming that it was reached.