past the threshold

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "past the threshold" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe moving beyond a certain point or limit, often in a metaphorical sense related to experiences or changes. Example: "Once we stepped past the threshold of the old house, we could feel the weight of its history surrounding us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

1 Campbell and Buchner 2 defined frailty as "a condition or syndrome which results from a multi-system reduction in reserve capacity to the extent that a number of physiological systems are close to, or past, the threshold of symptomatic clinical failure; and as a consequence the frail person is at increased risk of disability and death from minor external stresses".

BMJ Open

Campbell and Buchner [ 7] described frailty as a condition or syndrome which results from a multi-system reduction in reserve capacity to the extent that a number of physiological systems are close to, or past, the threshold of symptomatic clinical failure.

BMC Geriatrics

The problem is, we are past the threshold – we are just playing games with ourselves.

The Guardian

When they are past the threshold, the boy says, "Go into the bathroom and bolt the door from inside.

The New Yorker

The HDP has to lure pro-AK Kurds into switching sides if it is to squeak past the threshold.

The Economist

But with most of the electorate now online, he said, "We're way past the threshold in which this is a reasonable medium in which to talk to voters".

The New York Times - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

In order to compare the findings of the current study with past literature on the thresholds at which rationing began to affect these outcomes negatively, BERNCA scores were recorded into 6 levels: 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0, more than 2.5.

BMC Nursing

Interestingly, the correlation gradually decreased as the threshold increased past 30, our selected optimal cutoff.

BMC Genomics

As each threshold is past, the next group becomes more likely to adopt the new idea.

Forbes

Support fell for the HDP in Sunday's vote, and it only just managed to scrape past the 10% threshold.

The Guardian

Poorer countries, mostly in the tropics, will suffer even steeper losses because they are already past the temperature threshold.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "past the threshold" to describe situations where a critical limit or point of change has been exceeded, often leading to a new phase or condition.

Common error

Avoid limiting the use of "past the threshold" to literal physical spaces. The phrase is more powerful when used metaphorically to describe exceeding limits in abstract concepts like tolerance, capacity, or progress.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "past the threshold" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, often modifying a verb or noun to indicate a state or condition of exceeding a specific limit or boundary. As shown in Ludwig, it can describe both physical and metaphorical transitions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "past the threshold" is a prepositional phrase used to indicate that a limit or critical point has been exceeded, resulting in a new state or condition. As Ludwig AI verifies, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including science and news media. When using this phrase, consider its metaphorical applications beyond physical spaces to describe changes in abstract concepts. Alternatives such as "beyond the limit" or "over the boundary" can provide nuanced variations in meaning, depending on the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

beyond the limit

Emphasizes exceeding a set boundary or restriction.

over the boundary

Suggests surpassing a defined border or limit.

exceeded the limit

Highlights the action of going beyond a limit.

surpassed the point

Focuses on moving beyond a specific point or stage.

gone too far

Indicates having progressed to an excessive or undesirable degree.

crossed the line

Implies violating an established boundary of acceptable behavior or action.

reached a critical point

Highlights arriving at a crucial stage where significant changes occur.

overstepped the mark

Suggests exceeding what is considered appropriate or acceptable.

out of bounds

Indicates being beyond the permitted or acceptable limits.

gone beyond

A more general way of saying something has exceeded expectations or limits

FAQs

How can I use "past the threshold" in a sentence?

Use "past the threshold" to indicate that a limit or turning point has been exceeded. For example, "Once the pain became unbearable, I knew I was past the threshold of what I could endure."

What can I say instead of "past the threshold"?

You can use alternatives like "beyond the limit", "over the boundary", or "exceeded the limit" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "past the threshold" or "beyond the threshold"?

Both "past the threshold" and "beyond the threshold" are correct, but "past the threshold" often implies a process of moving across a boundary, while "beyond the threshold" suggests a state of being on the other side. Choose the phrase that best fits the context.

What does it mean to be "past the threshold of no return"?

Being "past the threshold of no return" means that a point has been reached where it's impossible to go back to the previous state or condition. For example, "The damage to the ecosystem was so severe that we were past the threshold of no return".