overtaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "overtaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where something or someone has surpassed or caught up with another in speed, progress, or status. Example: "The runner was overtaken by his competitor in the final stretch of the race."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Meanwhile, although Chrysalis' Heart has lost 10.3% of its audience over the year - but was up 3% on the quarter - it has overtaken Emap's Magic as the number one commercial station in London in terms of both reach and share.

The Guardian

In the latest ComRes/ITV News index, the NHS has overtaken immigration as the top concern for voters.

The Guardian

And not in my wildest dreams did I picture a crowd that would grow and grow, until a group of over 100 people had overtaken the bar.

The Guardian - Travel

China has overtaken the US as Brazil's major trading partner with a 17% share of the total.

The Guardian

I'm regularly overtaken by men in banana-yellow Lycra, my view of the road suddenly obscured by a disgustingly precise representation of their pumping buttocks.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Hollyoaks has overtaken EastEnders as the most violent soap on British TV, according to new research that said viewers still regarded pre-watershed violence involving vulnerable people as unacceptable.

The Guardian

Paperback mysteries still sell, but in the last five years they have been overtaken by a new wave of well-produced Arabic YA.

The Guardian - Books

By 1977 the upstart had overtaken its main rival, despite the fact that the Mirror had dropped its own bar on topless photos two years earlier.

The Guardian

In Denmark, the reaction has been the more common one of Ukip-style protest politics, with opinion polls this week showing the nationalist, anti-immigrant, rightwing Danish People's party has overtaken the governing social democrats in support.

The Guardian

In the past five years McDonald's has been overtaken by Subway, only for Greggs, which has 1,500 stores, and in some parts of London two bakeries on the same street, to become the largest chain.

The Guardian - Business

The tennis superstar, then 31, had just been overtaken by Steffi Graf atop the WTA rankings when she joined the show – but said she'd be back on top by the spring "if I] just play halfway decently".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "overtaken", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being surpassed and by what. Clarity is key to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "overtaken" without a clear subject. Ensure it's evident who or what was surpassed, or you risk a vague and confusing sentence.

Linguistic Context

The word "overtaken" primarily functions as a past participle in passive voice constructions. This is confirmed by Ludwig, where it often appears following auxiliary verbs like "has", "was", or "been" to indicate a completed action of surpassing or being surpassed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "overtaken" is a past participle typically used in the passive voice to indicate that something has been surpassed. As Ludwig AI confirms, the term is grammatically correct and frequently appears in diverse contexts, from news reports to business analyses. The term is most prevalent in news and media sources, suggesting its broad applicability. To use "overtaken" effectively, ensure clarity regarding the subject being surpassed and the entity doing the surpassing. Remember to avoid using "overtaken" in sentences without specifying a clear subject or object.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpassed

This term indicates exceeding or going beyond something else, often in achievement or quality.

exceeded

Implies going beyond a set limit or standard, often in quantity or degree.

outstripped

Suggests surpassing in speed or progress, implying a significant difference.

superseded

Indicates replacing something, often due to obsolescence or superiority.

eclipsed

Implies obscuring or diminishing the importance or reputation of something else.

outdone

This suggests surpassing someone in performance or achievement.

overwhelmed

Implies being overcome by a large amount or force, leading to a loss of control.

left behind

Indicates being surpassed or abandoned, often due to a lack of progress.

trailed

This term means to be behind someone or something.

yielded

Suggests giving way or surrendering a position or advantage to someone else.

FAQs

How is "overtaken" used in a sentence?

"Overtaken" is typically used in the passive voice to describe something being surpassed. For example, "The company was "surpassed" by its competitor in market share" or "He was "passed" during the final lap of the race".

What words can I use instead of "overtaken"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like ""surpassed"", "exceeded", "eclipsed", or "outstripped".

Is it correct to say "has been overtake" instead of "has been overtaken"?

No, "has been overtake" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "has been "overtaken"". "Overtaken" is the past participle form of the verb "overtake" and is required in the passive perfect construction.

What's the difference between "overtaken" and "replaced"?

"Overtaken" implies being surpassed, usually in progress or status, while "replaced" means something has been substituted. A product might be "overtaken" in popularity by another, or it might be "replaced" by a newer model.