surpasses only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "surpasses only" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to express that something exceeds or goes beyond a specific limit or standard, but it lacks context to be effectively used. Example: "This achievement surpasses only the previous records set last year."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In terms of numbers living in households where the income was less than 50% of the national median, the UK surpasses only the US.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Your outer beauty was surpassed only by your inner beauty.

The New York Times

That figure is surpassed only in Seattle ($129,259) and San Jose, Calif.

The New York Times

"His appetite for life was surpassed only by his appetite for food, which was surpassed only by his appetite for crossbreeding house cats with wild squirrels.

The New Yorker

The implacability of the dispute is surpassed only by each country's need for space.

The New Yorker

In 2010, Illinois generated the fourth highest call volume to the National Human Trafficking Resource Center, surpassed only by California, Texas and Florida.

The New York Times

It is America's second-most-valuable company, surpassed only by Exxon Mobil.

The New York Times

We shared a passion for life that was surpassed only by his passion for success.

The Guardian - Sport

In Clinton he faced a candidate whose unpopularity rating was surpassed only by his own.

The Guardian

Kuwait is the second largest donor to the regional response, surpassed only by the US.

The Guardian

Their hatred of everyone around them is surpassed only by their loathing of themselves.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "surpasses only" in formal writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "second only to" or "exceeded by only".

Common error

Using "surpasses only" can create a confusing double negative effect, where readers might misinterpret it as meaning something is not surpassed at all. Ensure your phrasing clearly conveys the intended meaning of being second to one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "surpasses only" functions as a comparative qualifier. However, according to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically incorrect. It aims to indicate that something is second best or is exceeded by just one other entity, but the phrasing is unconventional and often confusing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "surpasses only" is used to express that something is second best. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect. As such, it's advisable to use alternatives such as "second only to" or "exceeded by only" to ensure clarity and correctness. While the phrase might appear in news articles, its usage is infrequent and should be avoided in formal writing to prevent misinterpretation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceeded by only

Replaces "surpasses" with "exceeded", maintaining a similar meaning of being greater than all but a few.

second only to

Expresses the idea of being the second best, implying that only one other thing is superior.

outranked only by

Suitable for contexts involving rankings or hierarchies, indicating a high position surpassed by just one entity.

better than all except

Highlights that something is superior to all others, with a specific exception.

excelled over all but

Similar to "better than all except", but uses "excelled" to emphasize a higher degree of superiority.

surpassed by no one else but

More emphatic, indicating that only one specific entity has surpassed the subject.

outdone only by

Uses "outdone" to imply that someone or something has been outperformed, except by one other.

second to none except

Suggests unparalleled quality, save for one specific exception.

topped by a single

Implies that only one entity has achieved a higher level or status.

only one better than

A more direct and simple way of stating that only one other entity is superior.

FAQs

What does "surpasses only" mean?

The phrase "surpasses only" is intended to express that something is second best or is exceeded by just one other thing. However, it's grammatically awkward and often leads to confusion.

What can I use instead of "surpasses only"?

Better alternatives include "second only to", "exceeded by only", or "better than all except", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Why is "surpasses only" considered grammatically incorrect?

The structure of "surpasses only" is not standard English. It's unconventional and doesn't follow typical grammatical patterns, leading to potential misinterpretation. The phrase doesn't clearly and effectively convey the intended meaning.

Is there a situation where "surpasses only" would be appropriate?

While technically understandable in some contexts, it's best to avoid "surpasses only" in favor of clearer alternatives. Using phrases like "second only to" eliminates ambiguity and ensures your writing is easily understood.