Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

overcomed by

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"overcome by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when a person or thing is overwhelmed by emotion or overwhelmed by circumstances beyond their control. For example, "The little girl was overcome by joy when she saw the puppy."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Proportional Assist Ventillation (PAV) is a patient and user friendly mode of spontaneous mechanical ventilation which uses dynamic feedback of respiratory parameters to support the effort and assess the consequent workload overcomed by the patient´s respiratory muscles to which diaphragm contributes the most.

One disadvantage of the azanucleosides is their instability in aqueous solutions [18], [19], but this can be overcomed by the use of other more stable analogues, such as zebularine or 5 fluoro-deoxycytidine (5-F-CdR) (Fig. 1A), which also inhibit DNA methylation after incorporation into DNA [17].

Science

Plosone

Several neurotrophins cannot cross the blood brain barrier (BBB); however, this problem can be overcomed by replacing them with neurotrophin-mimetic compounds or with compounds that stimulate neurotrophin expression and can penetrate the BBB.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Somewhat astonished, I was overcome by curiosity.

News & Media

Independent

Or he was overcome by listmania.

These disadvantages are overcome by vegetative propagation.

Instead, I was overcome by sweeping generalities.

News & Media

The New York Times

He drank his when overcome by emotion".

News & Media

The New Yorker

Then she paused, momentarily overcome by emotion.

News & Media

The New Yorker

But it was then overcome by bickering.

News & Media

The Economist

I feel overcome by sadness and love.

News & Media

Independent
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "overcomed by" in your writing. Use the correct past participle form, "overcome by", to express being overwhelmed or affected by something.

Common error

Ensure you use the correct past participle form of irregular verbs. "Overcome" is an irregular verb, and its past participle is "overcome", not "overcomed".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "overcomed by" attempts to function as a passive construction, indicating that someone or something is being acted upon. However, it uses the non-standard "overcomed" instead of the correct past participle "overcome". Ludwig indicates this as an invalid form.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "overcomed by" is flagged by Ludwig as grammatically incorrect due to its use of the non-standard past participle "overcomed". The correct form is "overcome by", which effectively conveys the meaning of being overwhelmed or influenced. While instances of "overcomed by" may appear, particularly in Science and News contexts, it's essential to opt for the grammatically sound "overcome by" in both formal and informal writing to maintain clarity and credibility. Remember to use the past participle form "overcome" to avoid confusion.

FAQs

What is the correct form, "overcomed by" or "overcome by"?

The correct form is "overcome by". "Overcomed" is not a standard past participle of "overcome".

When should I use "overcome by" in a sentence?

Use "overcome by" when you want to describe someone or something being overwhelmed by a feeling, emotion, or situation. For example, "She was overcome by sadness".

What are some synonyms for "overcome by"?

Some synonyms for "overcome by" include "affected by", "overwhelmed by", and "dominated by" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "overcomed by" ever considered acceptable in informal writing?

While you might encounter "overcomed by" in some informal contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's best to stick with "overcome by" for both formal and informal writing to maintain clarity and credibility.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

87%

Authority and reliability

1.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: