to be outpaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be outpaced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is surpassed or exceeded in speed, progress, or development by another person or entity. Example: "In the rapidly evolving tech industry, many companies find themselves struggling to keep up as they are outpaced by more innovative competitors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Any such broader public debate appears to be outpaced by Congress and the administration.

The Guardian

She travelled beautifully through the race and seemed the likely winner at the turn for home, only to be outpaced by Ebaziyan and Granit Jack.

The Guardian - Sport

Yet even our rapidly proliferating criticism has started to be outpaced by creation — or at least by innovation, in the way that technology is shaping the way we write, think, and disseminate our writing and our thoughts to other people.

The New Yorker

Yet even our rapidly proliferating criticism has started to be outpaced by creation or at least by innovation, in the way that technology is shaping the way we write, think, and disseminate our writing and our thoughts to other people.

The New Yorker

While governments across Central America have revised anti-trafficking legislation in recent years, they continue to be outpaced and outgunned by the increasing power of the cartels in controlling people trafficking across the region.

The Guardian

But by May 1, Clinton had a lead in the delegate count and popular vote that was not going to be outpaced by Sanders, even if he won a landslide in California's looming primary.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

It's certainly the case that for him to be outpacing U.S. senators in primary polling is no small feat.

The Washington Post

The costs of hospital and doctor care seem to be "outpacing premium increases," said Jon Gabel, a principal investigator for the Kaiser survey.

The New York Times

He noticed that the demand for English speakers seemed to be outpacing the supply, and decided to start his own language school, English Cool, which will celebrate its second anniversary this spring.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Bush appears to be outpacing all of his Republican rivals, declared or undeclared, in both the money he has raised and the elaborate political network he has set up.

The New York Times

Drilling down further into country specific return shows an even more intriguing story as certain countries appear to be outpacing others within the two representative international market categories.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be outpaced", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is doing the outpacing and what is being outpaced. This clarifies the comparison and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be outpaced" when an active construction is more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The project is to be outpaced by new initiatives", consider "New initiatives will outpace the project" for a more direct and impactful statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be outpaced" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that the subject is receiving the action of being surpassed. Ludwig examples show that it is often used to describe how one thing is exceeded by another in terms of speed, growth, or influence, as also stated by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

41%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to be outpaced" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb phrase that describes the act of being surpassed or exceeded, as determined by Ludwig AI. It's often used in contexts involving progress, competition, or development, across neutral, formal, and scientific registers. While the phrase is found frequently in News & Media and Science, it is recommended to clarify the subject being outpaced to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "to be surpassed" or "to be exceeded" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be surpassed

This alternative focuses on exceeding a limit or standard, similar to being outpaced but with a broader application.

to be exceeded

This phrase suggests that something is greater in number or degree than something else, emphasizing the extent of surpassing.

to be overtaken

This option highlights the action of one entity catching up to and moving past another, implying a dynamic process.

to be left behind

This phrase emphasizes the consequence of not keeping up, focusing on the negative aspect of being outpaced.

to be outstripped

This implies a significant difference in growth or progress, suggesting that the rate of surpassing is considerable.

to fall behind

This alternative describes a process of lagging or losing ground, which is the opposite of outpacing.

to be eclipsed

This suggests that something is overshadowed or made less significant by something else, emphasizing a loss of prominence.

to be outdone

This focuses on achieving a higher level of accomplishment, surpassing in merit or skill.

to be superseded

This implies replacement by something newer or more effective, often in a formal or technical context.

to be transcended

This suggests rising above or going beyond limitations, exceeding expectations.

FAQs

What does "to be outpaced" mean?

The phrase "to be outpaced" means to be surpassed, exceeded, or left behind in terms of speed, progress, or development by someone or something else. It implies a comparative lack of advancement.

How can I use "to be outpaced" in a sentence?

You can use "to be outpaced" to describe situations where something is falling behind, such as: "Traditional marketing methods are "being outpaced" by digital strategies."

Which is a better alternative to "to be outpaced"?

Alternatives include "to be surpassed", "to be exceeded", or "to be overtaken" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. Each alternative offers a slightly different perspective on the concept of being surpassed.

What is the difference between "to be outpaced" and "to be surpassed"?

"To be outpaced" generally implies a race or competition where speed or progress is key, whereas "to be surpassed" suggests exceeding a limit or standard. While similar, "to be outpaced" has a stronger connotation of movement and relative speed compared to "to be surpassed".