outpaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outpaced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where one thing has surpassed or exceeded another in speed, progress, or development. Example: "In the race for technological advancement, the startup outpaced its competitors by introducing innovative solutions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Although the Wearsiders remain perched above the relegation zone they have won only five league games all season and found themselves outpaced, outmoved, outthought and outworked by Alan Pardew's team.

The Guardian - Sport

Schwarzenegger said after California introduced tough new environmental laws the state's economic growth well outpaced the national rate.

The Guardian - Film

Quelling fears their midfield would struggle without the former All-Australian and 2010 premiership star, the Magpies easily outpaced, outmuscled and outmanoeuvred the disappointing hosts for most of the night in front of 31,240 fans - Brisbane's best crowd in five years.

The Guardian - Sport

Luke Shaw was outpaced repeatedly by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in the first half, Smalling and Jones performed poorly in the second half, and Daley Blind needed Michael Carrick to be introduced for United to get a grip on midfield.

The Guardian - Sport

Five minutes after the break Armstrong outpaced the defence and beat the hesitant Simonsen to the ball but lofted it over the bar.

The Guardian - Sport

As does the backlash, which has been building since before her last movie, the indie romcom Juno, won Cody a Best Original Screenplay Academy Award, guaranteeing the enmity of the people she'd outpaced to the top.

The Guardian - Film

Mock had also outpaced a rival for the record, Joan Merriam Smith, who had set out to circumnavigate the globe in a twin-engined Piper Apache from Oakland, following the route fatally pioneered in 1937 by Amelia Earhart.

The Guardian

But Unix, another contender with roots in the 1970s, has outpaced it in two exponentially growing markets.

The Economist

Until 2014 real GDP growth in the province had outpaced national GDP growth for all but one year since 2000 (see chart).

The Economist

It has outpaced national GDP growth every year since the late 1990s, with a markedly wider lead since 2008.Demand in China for the north-east's products, such as machinery and chemicals, has helped.

The Economist

Over the past ten years the total return on unleveraged investment in American property has outpaced the return on bonds and exactly matched the return on shares.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outpaced", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being surpassed and in what specific aspect (e.g., speed, growth, sales).

Common error

Avoid using "outpaced" when simply meaning "equaled" or "matched". "Outpaced" implies a clear and measurable degree of exceeding, not just reaching the same level.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outpaced" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb "outpace". As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for describing past actions where one thing has surpassed another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

18%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outpaced" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb form that signifies exceeding something in speed, growth, or progress. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is commonly found in news, business, and scientific contexts. While semantically similar alternatives such as "exceeded" or "surpassed" exist, "outpaced" specifically emphasizes the aspect of moving faster or progressing more rapidly. When using "outpaced", it's important to ensure the context clearly indicates what is being surpassed and in what aspect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded

Focuses on surpassing a limit or expectation, rather than necessarily involving speed or progress.

surpassed

Implies going beyond a certain level or standard, often in a competitive context.

outstripped

Suggests leaving something behind or becoming superior in a rapid or decisive manner.

overtook

Emphasizes catching up and moving ahead, usually in a race or journey.

bettered

Indicates improvement and exceeding a previous performance or standard.

eclipsed

Implies overshadowing or diminishing the importance of something else due to superior achievement.

outdid

Suggests surpassing someone in a specific action or quality.

outran

Specifically refers to exceeding in running or speed.

left behind

Focuses on the act of moving faster and further than something else, causing it to fall behind.

ascended beyond

Implies a climb or rise to a level higher than something else.

FAQs

How to use "outpaced" in a sentence?

Use "outpaced" to describe a situation where something has exceeded another thing in speed, growth, or progress. For example, "The company's growth "outpaced" its competitors."

What can I say instead of "outpaced"?

You can use alternatives like "exceeded", "surpassed", or "outstripped" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "outpaced" or "surpassed"?

Both "outpaced" and "surpassed" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Outpaced" implies exceeding in speed or progress, while "surpassed" simply means to go beyond or exceed a limit.

What's the difference between "outpaced" and "overtook"?

"Overtook" suggests catching up and moving ahead, often in a race or journey, whereas "outpaced" implies maintaining a faster pace and continuously exceeding the other.