possibly surpassing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "possibly surpassing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the potential for something to exceed a certain standard or level. Example: "The new technology is expected to improve efficiency, possibly surpassing previous benchmarks set by the industry."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Demographers expect their numbers to rise in the coming decades, possibly surpassing those of American Jews.

The New York Times

"That was one of our best performances in years, possibly surpassing last summer's victory over Spain in Valencia," said a delighted Bingham.

The Guardian - Sport

Millions of Filipinos are expected to turn out for his events, possibly surpassing the record 5 million who turned out for the last papal visit: St. John Paul II in 1995.

Independent

Following the 2015 flurry of small-molecule PROTACs, Deshaies, who had left the field, penned an opinion piece declaring that PROTACs had the potential to become a major new class of drug, possibly surpassing two of the hottest drug-development areas of all time — protein kinase inhibitors and monoclonal antibodies13.

Nature

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Of the other Prado Eneas we tasted, I think only the 2001 will possibly surpass it.

The New York Times - Food

A capital increase would match and possibly surpass the record for the amount a British company has raised.

The New York Times

And they got someone whose ambition and skill at self-promotion easily rivaled -- and quite possibly surpassed -- Mr. D'Amato's.

The New York Times

Enter Philip Marlowe, one of the great characters in the Anglo-American novel, a protagonist to rival and possibly surpass Sherlock Holmes.

The Guardian - Books

As is the case almost every Olympics, much of the speculation around it centered on how Britain could possibly surpass the previous summer host, China.

The New York Times - Sports

It is feat that would see the Bundesliga outdo the top divisions in Italy and England by at least one club, and possibly surpass Spain's La Liga.

The New York Times

With China on course to possibly surpass the U.S. economically by 2028, this worldly generation of Chinese youth — a group that's increasingly digital, educated and well traveled — has the potential to alter all of our futures.

Columbia University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "possibly surpassing", ensure the context clearly establishes what is being surpassed and the basis for comparison. This adds clarity and strengthens the statement.

Common error

Avoid using "possibly surpassing" when the evidence strongly suggests a definite surpassing. Opt for a more affirmative expression if the outcome is highly probable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "possibly surpassing" functions as a qualifier, specifically an adverb modifying a verb. It indicates the potential or chance for something to exceed a particular level or achievement. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

37%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "possibly surpassing" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express the potential for something to exceed expectations or outperform something else. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media and scientific contexts. While it conveys uncertainty, it's crucial to use this phrase when there's a genuine chance of surpassing and avoid overstating the likelihood. Alternatives include "potentially exceeding" and "maybe outdoing", offering slight variations in formality and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

potentially exceeding

Emphasizes the potential or possibility of exceeding a certain limit or expectation. It's a slightly more formal alternative.

may surpass

A more concise and direct way of saying 'possibly surpass'.

perhaps exceeding

Similar to 'possibly exceeding' but can convey a slightly higher degree of uncertainty.

conceivably exceeding

Emphasizes the conceivability or possibility of exceeding a certain limit.

maybe outdoing

A more informal way to express the idea of surpassing, suggesting a less certain outcome.

credibly surpassing

Suggests that the surpassing is believable or plausible.

likely to exceed

Indicates a higher probability of surpassing a certain level or expectation.

might outdo

Similar to 'maybe outdoing', suggesting a possibility of surpassing in a less formal way.

potentially overshadowing

Suggests that something might become more prominent or important than something else.

could outstrip

Implies exceeding something, often in a competitive context.

FAQs

How can I use "possibly surpassing" in a sentence?

Use "possibly surpassing" to indicate a chance or potential for something to exceed a certain level or achievement. For example: "The company's profits are projected to increase, "possibly surpassing" last year's record."

What are some alternatives to "possibly surpassing"?

You can use alternatives like "potentially exceeding", "maybe outdoing", or "perhaps exceeding" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "probably surpassing" instead of "possibly surpassing"?

While both suggest exceeding, "probably surpassing" indicates a higher likelihood than "possibly surpassing". Use "probably" when there's a strong indication of it happening and "possibly" when the outcome is less certain.

What's the difference between "possibly surpassing" and "definitely surpassing"?

"Possibly surpassing" implies uncertainty, while "definitely surpassing" asserts a certain outcome. Choose "definitely surpassing" when you have conclusive evidence. Don't use the QUERY.