surpassed the limit

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surpassed the limit" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has exceeded a defined threshold or boundary, whether in a literal or metaphorical sense. Example: "The athlete surpassed the limit of his previous record, setting a new personal best."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In a rigorous sealed batch reactor, the conversions of the reactants surpassed the limit of chemical equilibrium with the hydrophilic catalyst, from which the hydrophobic n-butyl acetate would be rejected.

Catalysis Communications

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Trading is so frenetic that on April 20th, volumes surpassed the limits of the software that tracks transactions.

The Economist

President Donald Trump — then just Donald Trump, a man whose foolishness surpassed the limits of exaggeration — thought it would be possible to use his deepest insecurities to make America great again.

The New Yorker

As I fondly gaze at the quantum moments in my own life when I have surpassed the limiting beliefs and fear thoughts, I feel a sense of pure delight, a wowie-zowie sense of wonder.

Huffington Post

But, long before the New England Patriots ended Denver's season last weekend with their usual poker-faced brutality (the 45-10 final score somehow understates the lopsidedness and fistful-of-Klonopin dullness of the game), even those die-hards had likely surpassed the limits of their own personal Tebow-tolerance.

Vice

The SUS has surpassed the limits of urban areas and now serves the rural population, minorities and individuals with disabilities, the indigenous population and others [ 1].

BMC Health Services Research

Unless you are a lumberjack, there's only so much plaid you can contemplate, and it's easy these days to surpass the limit.

The New Yorker

The benefit of the increased concentration ratio is increased flexibility in designing new systems with concentration ratios surpassing the limit of existing trough concentrators.

Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells

However, because many carriers charge by gigabytes consumed as well as minutes of talk time, the business can be liable for significant overage charges if a device surpasses the limit.

TechCrunch

Cronbach's alpha for the SASPA questionnaire was 0.875, easily surpassing the limit for substantial internal consistency in individual assessments.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

In other words, LD activity might be limited by DXR sensitivity of cancer cells, while ILD would be likely to surpass the limit and able to overcome the drug resistance of those cells when they have enough Ag density.

British Journal of Cancer

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "surpassed the limit", ensure the context clearly defines what that limit is, providing a specific and understandable reference point for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "surpassed the limit" without specifying the limit being referenced. This can lead to confusion and weaken the impact of your statement. Always provide context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpassed the limit" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of exceeding a defined boundary or threshold. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's suitable for describing situations where something goes beyond a set limitation. Examples from Ludwig showcase its application in diverse contexts, from scientific experiments to economic analyses.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surpassed the limit" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that indicates exceeding a specific boundary or threshold. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is diverse, appearing in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. While its meaning is clear, it's essential to define the "limit" to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "exceeded the boundary" or "went beyond the threshold" offer similar meanings, but "surpassed the limit" often carries a stronger connotation of achievement or exceptional performance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded the boundary

This alternative conveys a similar meaning but focuses on the boundary itself being crossed.

went beyond the threshold

This phrase emphasizes the act of moving past a specific threshold or benchmark.

outstripped the restriction

This implies a forceful surpassing of a restriction or constraint.

transcended the confines

This suggests a surpassing of limitations in a more profound or philosophical way.

overcame the barrier

This emphasizes the successful overcoming of an obstacle or impediment.

beat the expectation

This implies exceeding a predicted or anticipated outcome.

smashed the ceiling

This suggests a dramatic and forceful surpassing of an upper limit.

bettered the mark

This implies improving upon a previous record or standard.

climbed over the summit

This suggests overcoming a challenge and reaching above the high mark.

overshot the target

This implies exceeding a specific goal or objective, sometimes unintentionally.

FAQs

How can I use "surpassed the limit" in a sentence?

You can use "surpassed the limit" to indicate that something has exceeded a defined boundary or threshold, whether literal or metaphorical. For example: "The athlete "surpassed the limit" of his previous record, setting a new personal best."

What are some alternatives to "surpassed the limit"?

Alternatives include "exceeded the boundary", "went beyond the threshold", or "outstripped the restriction", depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "surpassed the maximum limit"?

While not grammatically incorrect, "surpassed the maximum limit" can be redundant. "Surpassed the limit" already implies exceeding a maximum, so adding "maximum" might be unnecessary. Consider streamlining your sentence.

What is the difference between "surpassed the limit" and "reached the limit"?

"Reached the limit" means arriving at a boundary, while "surpassed the limit" means exceeding or going beyond that boundary. They have opposite meanings regarding the boundary.