outstripping

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstripping" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe surpassing or exceeding something in terms of speed, quantity, or quality. Example: "The new technology is outstripping its competitors in terms of efficiency and performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Where Juventus were under pressure to respond to second-placed Roma's victory over Bologna a day earlier, Torino were already outstripping all expectations for this season and could afford to throw caution to the wind.

The Guardian - Sport

At times outstripping the viewership of its TV iteration by a factor of 10, the YouTube channel of HBO's Last Week Tonight With John Oliver was perhaps 2014's most reliable source of online video, tackling such potentially bewildering subjects as US state legislatures and Ugandan homophobia with a mix of goofy humour and devastating evidence.

The Guardian - Film

With daily visitors to Venice outstripping the number of people who live there, beleaguered residents are increasingly supportive of an idea to limit tourist numbers, says Salon.

The Guardian

Those policies, coupled with some of the lowest wages in the region, have made Slovakia a new favourite among foreign investors, with inflows far outstripping the regional average.

The Economist

This will require considerable government spending, and will meet tough resistance.It is remarkable that a government so fond of planning has taken this long to produce a plan for urbanisation; in the past 35 years the population of urban China has grown by more than 500m people, far outstripping the pace of city expansion that was seen in the developed world during the early industrial era.

The Economist

With its oil needs outstripping the growth of its own reserves, China would like to secure oil farther afield.

The Economist

The number of employed people in Germany as a whole rose by 146,000 in the first five months of this year, outstripping the fall in unemployment.

The Economist

But in election years, public spending in Latin American countries has a habit of outstripping all forecasts.

The Economist

Finnish wages were growing at positively Mediterranean levels, far outstripping those in Germany or Sweden, the countries to which Finland likes to compare itself.

The Economist

The merger would have created the largest advertising and communications company by revenues globally, outstripping the current leader, WPP.

The Economist

Between 1990 and 2006 trade volumes grew by more than 6% a year, easily outstripping the growth rate of world output, which was about 3% (see chart 1).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "outstripping", ensure that you clearly state what is being surpassed and in what aspect. For example, "The company's profits are outstripping its expenses" clarifies the subject and the specific area of exceeding.

Common error

Avoid using "outstripping" in very casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler words like "exceeding" or "surpassing" are often more appropriate for less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "outstripping" is as a present participle or gerund of the verb "outstrip". It often functions as part of a continuous verb tense, describing an ongoing action of exceeding or surpassing something, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "outstripping" is a versatile term for describing how something exceeds or surpasses another. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically sound and most often found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, suggesting a formal to professional register. For more casual contexts, simpler alternatives like "exceeding" or "surpassing" might be more appropriate. Remember, clarity is key: always specify what's being surpassed and in what way when using "outstripping".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeding

Emphasizes surpassing a limit or expectation.

surpassing

Highlights the act of going beyond in quality or degree.

overtaking

Implies catching up and moving ahead, often in a competitive context.

exceeding expectations

Specifically focuses on surpassing anticipated outcomes.

outperforming

Suggests doing better than others, especially in business or sports.

bettering

Implies improvement and surpassing a previous standard.

transcending

Indicates rising above or going beyond limitations.

eclipsing

Means overshadowing or diminishing in importance by comparison.

outdoing

Focuses on surpassing someone or something in a particular action or quality.

leaving behind

Suggests a significant gap in progress or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "outstripping" in a sentence?

You can use "outstripping" to describe something that is exceeding or surpassing something else. For example, "The demand for electric vehicles is "outstripping supply"."

What are some alternatives to "outstripping"?

Some alternatives to "outstripping" include "exceeding", "surpassing", or "overtaking". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it correct to use "outstripping" in formal writing?

Yes, "outstripping" is appropriate for formal writing. It is often used in news reports, academic papers, and business documents to describe exceeding or surpassing something.

What's the difference between "outstripping" and "surpassing"?

"Outstripping" often implies a greater degree of exceeding or surpassing. While both words mean to go beyond something, "outstripping" can suggest a more significant or rapid increase compared to "surpassing".