needs to surpass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "needs to surpass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the requirement for something to exceed a certain standard or level. Example: "In order to be successful, the project needs to surpass the expectations set by the stakeholders."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Sure, but he still needs to surpass a certain threshold of athleticism, and I'm not sure he does".

The New York Times

Alan Shearer, searching for the one goal he needs to surpass Jackie Milburn's all-time scoring record, endured a miserable afternoon.

The Guardian - Sport

Even the seven home runs he needs to surpass Carlton Fisk for the career record by a catcher are probably a reach at this point.

The New York Times - Sports

By then, Bonds, who has 753 home runs, will almost certainly have hit the three home runs he needs to surpass Hank Aaron's career record.

The New York Times - Sports

Oral delivery of protein vaccines or drugs targeting gut-associated lymphoid tissues (GALT) needs to surpass the highly acidic and proteolytic environment in the GI tract (Wang et al., 2009).

Protein & Cell

The acute consequence of inhalation of Zn dust is zinc fever; however, for severe effects (deaths), the concentration needs to surpass widely the permissible exposure limit of 5 mg/m3 CNT Low High n.a.a

Environmental Sciences Europe

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Coal prices will need to surpass the hype to prevent this deal from destroying value.

The New York Times

(Parties need to surpass a 5% threshold of the vote to send members to Parliament, so a governing majority can be formed with around 45% of the vote).

The Economist

He's not the best golfer in history yet; he'll need to surpass Nicklaus's record of 18 major titles to deserve that accolade, but he has the time and the talent to surpass the Golden Bear's total.

The New York Times - Sports

They were eventually going to lose a game, and although they would have preferred to have that happen after they had won the seven games they needed to surpass the 1971-72 Lakers, it's not the end of the world.

The Guardian - Sport

A woman approached him at the Pittsburgh luncheon and said, "Don't worry, Joe, you'll get your two," referring to the victories needed to surpass Bryant's record.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "needs to surpass", ensure the context clearly defines the benchmark or threshold that must be exceeded. Specificity enhances clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "needs to surpass" without specifying what needs to be exceeded. For example, instead of saying 'The project needs to surpass expectations', specify 'The project needs to surpass the expected revenue by 10%'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "needs to surpass" functions as a modal verb phrase indicating a requirement or necessity to exceed a particular level or standard. This usage aligns with Ludwig AI's assessment of the phrase as correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "needs to surpass" is a grammatically correct and functional modal verb phrase used to express the necessity of exceeding a specific benchmark. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news, science, and business, where setting and exceeding targets are crucial. When using this phrase, ensure that the benchmark is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity and maximize clarity. Alternatives like "must exceed" and "has to outdo" can provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. While not overly frequent, the phrase is commonly understood and effectively conveys the requirement of surpassing a particular level or expectation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

must exceed

Emphasizes obligation or necessity in exceeding a certain level.

has to outdo

Focuses on performing better than someone or something else.

is required to beat

Highlights the requirement of achieving a superior result.

is obliged to outperform

Stresses the obligation to achieve a higher level of performance.

should go beyond

Suggests exceeding current limits or expectations.

ought to transcend

Implies rising above or exceeding limitations.

should eclipse

Means to surpass in importance or achievement.

is expected to top

Indicates an anticipation of exceeding a certain level.

is forecast to best

Implies a prediction of outperforming something else.

aims to outstrip

Expresses the intention to exceed or outpace something.

FAQs

How can I use "needs to surpass" in a sentence?

Use "needs to surpass" when you want to describe that something must exceed a specific limit, target, or expectation. For example: 'The company "needs to surpass" its sales target to achieve profitability'.

What are some alternatives to "needs to surpass"?

Some alternatives include "must exceed", "has to outdo", or "is required to beat", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "needs to surpass" in formal writing?

"Needs to surpass" is suitable for formal writing when describing objectives or requirements in a clear and direct manner. It's particularly effective in business, academic, and technical contexts where exceeding a specific threshold is critical.

What's the difference between "needs to surpass" and "should exceed"?

"Needs to surpass" implies a stronger requirement or necessity compared to "should exceed". The former suggests a critical threshold, while the latter indicates a desirable but not necessarily mandatory outcome.