overtake

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overtake" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where one entity moves ahead of another, often in terms of speed or progress. Example: "The car was able to overtake the slower vehicle on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This trend led many observers to believe that the Conservatives were on course to overtake Miliband's party.

The Guardian

This is a highly ambitious target and most psephologists believe that Sinn Fein will probably see its share of vote increase, putting the party in a strong position to overtake the SDLP at the election after this.

The Guardian

The rise was lower than in previous years, but enough to overtake Marks & Spencer's entire UK revenue from non-food items.

The Guardian - Business

The assembly has been suspended since 2002 over allegations of an IRA spy ring, while the "phantom" elections of 2003 saw Ian Paisley's hardline Democrat Unionist party (DUP) and Sinn Féin overtake their more moderate rivals.

The Guardian

Though many businesses are entering the market, other nations could still overtake Britain if the pace of progress slackens.

The Guardian

By the way, did I know women's salaries are starting to overtake men's?

The Guardian

And they say 'you are wrong and history will overtake you'... and I respect that".

The Guardian

The AEC told Guardian Australia there were just 645 pre-poll and postal votes left to process and count, making it unlikely that Mirabella, the incumbent Coalition MP, will overtake McGowan.

The Guardian

I'd not stopped all the way up and had even managed to overtake some wheezing bloke in the final quarter mile.

The Guardian

We used to overtake people; we used to win veteran competitions.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On Monday, Tony Abbott confirmed that Mirabella, who was shadow science minister, wouldn't be part of his first ministry, although he said he hoped she would "claw back" her deficit and overtake McGowan.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "overtake" to create a sense of dynamic movement or progression in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "overtake" when simply describing being alongside something. "Overtake" implies a prior state of being behind. Instead, consider using "parallel" or "alongside".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "overtake" is a transitive verb. Ludwig AI shows that it describes the action of moving past something, whether it's a physical object or an abstract measure. Examples include "overtake a car" or "overtake sales figures".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overtake" is a transitive verb commonly used to describe the action of surpassing something, either physically or metaphorically. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. When using "overtake", clarity is key: make sure the object being surpassed is clearly stated. Synonyms include "surpass" and "exceed", offering alternative ways to express the concept of moving ahead. Remember that "overtake" is most fitting when implying prior status of being behind and a deliberate move ahead.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass

Indicates exceeding or going beyond, often in terms of achievement or quality.

exceed

Implies going beyond a limit or expectation, similar to "overtake" in a competitive context.

outstrip

Suggests exceeding something in degree or extent, often in a rapid or significant manner.

outdo

Implies surpassing someone in performance or action.

eclipse

Means to surpass in importance or fame; to overshadow.

leave behind

Focuses on the act of moving ahead and creating a distance.

move ahead of

Directly indicates advancing past something or someone.

gain ground on

Suggests reducing the distance between competitors, with the potential to surpass.

ascend beyond

Implies rising above in a metaphorical or abstract sense.

get the better of

Suggests triumphing over someone or something, often in a competitive setting.

FAQs

How is "overtake" used in a sentence?

"Overtake" is used to describe the act of passing something that was previously ahead. For example: "The leading runner began to "overtake" the other competitors."

What's a good synonym for "overtake"?

Depending on the context, synonyms for "overtake" include "surpass", "exceed", or "outstrip".

Is it always appropriate to use "overtake" when passing?

While "overtake" implies passing, it's most appropriate when there's a sense of effort or competition involved. In simple passing situations, "pass" might be more fitting.

Can "overtake" be used in non-physical contexts?

Yes, "overtake" can be used metaphorically to describe exceeding goals, sales figures, or other abstract measures. For instance: "Their profits are expected to "overtake" last year's earnings."