never topped

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never topped" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not been surpassed or exceeded in quality, achievement, or performance. Example: "In terms of innovation, this product has never topped anything else on the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had never topped 20 goals.

Independent

We've never topped it since.

The Guardian

Education has never topped the priority list among Pakistani politicians.

The New York Times

Before 2006, total overseas acquisitions by Chinese companies never topped $10 billion a year.

The New York Times

He has never topped 26% in the "poll of polls" compiled by RealClearPolitics, a leading website.

The Economist

Yet Cort's career never topped it and, by his own admission, he's had "a chequered life".

The Guardian - Film

A soft advertising market and a circulation that never topped 30,000 also hurt.

The New York Times

It has dropped as low as 67.1 but never topped 70.

The New York Times - Sports

During their great booms in the 1960s and '70s, Japan and South Korea never topped 40 percent.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

A It is never top down.

The New York Times

"I may never top this," said O'Neill.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never topped", ensure the context clearly defines what is being compared and what metric is used for comparison. For example, "The company's profits never topped last year's record, despite increased sales volume."

Common error

Avoid using "never topped" without specifying the area of comparison. Instead of saying "His career never topped", clarify with "His career never topped his early successes in the 1990s."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never topped" primarily functions as a verb phrase, often used within a clause to indicate that a certain level, achievement, or performance has not been exceeded. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage, affirming its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

7%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "never topped" is a versatile and commonly used expression to convey that something has not been exceeded or surpassed. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and appropriate for various contexts, ranging from news reports to encyclopedic entries. While alternatives like "never exceeded" or "never surpassed" exist, "never topped" maintains a neutral tone suitable for broad application. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what is being compared and the criteria for comparison to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never exceeded

Replaces "topped" with "exceeded", focusing on surpassing a limit or boundary.

never surpassed

Substitutes "topped" with "surpassed", emphasizing exceeding in achievement or quality.

never outdone

Uses "outdone" instead of "topped", highlighting a failure to be bettered.

never eclipsed

Replaces "topped" with "eclipsed", suggesting a failure to overshadow or diminish something.

never bettered

Uses "bettered" in place of "topped", emphasizing a lack of improvement upon a previous state.

never transcended

Substitutes "topped" with "transcended", indicating a failure to rise above or go beyond.

never peaked above

Rephrases using "peaked above" to convey the idea of not reaching a higher point.

never reached higher than

Expresses the same concept using "reached higher than", focusing on achieving a greater level.

never surpassed its zenith

Uses "zenith" to indicate the highest point, suggesting it was never exceeded.

hasn't been surmounted

Employs "surmounted" to imply that an obstacle or challenge hasn't been overcome or exceeded.

FAQs

What does "never topped" mean?

The phrase "never topped" means that something has not been exceeded, surpassed, or improved upon. It implies that a particular level, achievement, or quality has remained unmatched.

How can I use "never topped" in a sentence?

You can use "never topped" to describe a performance, achievement, or quality that has not been surpassed. For example, "The movie's special effects have "never been equaled" / "never been matched" since its release."

What are some alternatives to "never topped"?

Some alternatives to "never topped" include "never exceeded", "never surpassed", "never outdone", and "never eclipsed" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "never topped" formal or informal language?

"Never topped" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "never exceeded" or "never surpassed" might be preferred in highly formal writing.