surpass them

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surpass them" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of exceeding or going beyond others in performance, ability, or achievement. Example: "With hard work and dedication, I believe I can surpass them in the upcoming competition."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Many women have done well, but you surpass them all".

The New York Times

Scharf says he hopes to surpass them all.

The New York Times

With no end to this film's popularity in sight, it could surpass them both.

The New York Times

"I want to build a team that will not only push Australia but surpass them.

The Guardian - Sport

"But it takes an athlete like me to come along and surpass them.

The New York Times - Sports

But she said she had seen some people reach their former income levels or surpass them, particularly after several years.

The New York Times

Such is the patched-up look of this Knicks' roster it is not impossible they could surpass them.

The Guardian - Sport

Her parents had both left school at 15 and, in educational terms, she was determined to surpass them.

The Guardian - Books

Does it fulfill expectations, or surpass them, or has time siphoned off whatever joy was once in the bottle?

The New York Times

Such are our real terrors; nowadays, hints of the demonic can underscore them, but not surpass them.

The Guardian - Film

"Absolutely, I would love to tie them, I'd love to surpass them," said Johnson, who won his fifth title in his 327th career race.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair this phrase with abstract nouns like expectations, records or levels to provide clear context for what is being exceeded.

Common error

Writers sometimes mistakenly use "surpass themselves" when they simply mean they did better than before. If you are comparing an entity's current performance to its own past, "surpass its previous record" is more precise than "surpass them" unless the targets are external.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpass them" functions as a transitive verb phrase where the verb denotes the action of going beyond or being superior to the object represented by the pronoun. According to Ludwig AI, it is structurally sound and follows standard English syntax rules for expressing comparative excellence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "surpass them" is a highly effective and grammatically correct tool for describing excellence and progress. Ludwig AI confirms its validity across a wide spectrum of authoritative sources, from scientific journals to prestige news platforms. With 58 distinct examples found in the database, it is clear that this phrase is a staple of professional writing. Whether you are discussing technological advancements, athletic records or business targets, "surpass them" provides a polished way to indicate that a boundary has been crossed or a competitor has been outdone. It is generally preferred over more casual synonyms in formal contexts due to its precise and elevated tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outdo them

Directly focuses on performing better than others in a competitive sense

exceed them

More common when referring to numerical targets, expectations or limits

outperform them

Specific to functional, athletic or financial contexts

top them

Less formal but highly effective for indicating a higher achievement

outstrip them

Often used for growth rates or physical races where one leaves the other behind

better them

A British-leaning alternative meaning to improve upon a previous score or record

transcend them

Connotes rising above something in a spiritual, abstract or qualitative way

eclipse them

Implies making others seem insignificant by comparison

overshadow them

Indicates that one's success draws all the attention away from others

surmount them

Usually used for overcoming obstacles rather than beating competitors

FAQs

How do I use "surpass them" in a formal sentence?

In formal writing, you can use it to describe exceeding standards, such as: "The new efficiency protocols allowed the team to "reach their goals" and eventually surpass them".

What is a more professional way to say "beat them"?

You can use "surpass them" or alternatives like "outperform them" and "exceed them" depending on whether you are talking about people or metrics.

Is "surpass them" grammatically correct?

Yes, it is perfectly correct. As noted by Ludwig, it consists of the transitive verb 'surpass' followed by the objective pronoun 'them', making it a standard way to express exceeding others.

What is the difference between "surpass them" and "surmount them"?

While "surpass them" means to be better or greater than, "surmount them" typically refers to overcoming difficulties or climbing over physical barriers.