to overcome

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to overcome" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of successfully dealing with or gaining control over a challenge, obstacle, or difficulty. Example: "She worked hard to overcome her fears and achieve her goals."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Too much to overcome".

The New York Times - Sports

There's always something to overcome".

The New York Times

It was hard to overcome.

The New York Times - Sports

Michael had to overcome that.

The New York Times - Sports

It's hard to overcome".

The New York Times

To overcome early disappointments.

The Guardian

What barriers do doctors need to overcome?

The New Yorker

That took Arizona a decade to overcome.

The New York Times

But there are still challenges to overcome.

The New York Times - Sports

Google has had to overcome sclerosis before.

The Economist

There were many obstacles to overcome.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to overcome" when you want to emphasize the act of successfully dealing with a significant challenge or obstacle. It suggests effort and eventual success.

Common error

Avoid using "to overcome" for minor inconveniences. Simpler verbs like "handle" or "manage" are more appropriate for everyday problems.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to overcome" is as an infinitive verb phrase. It often acts as an adverbial of purpose, explaining the reason for an action, as seen in many examples provided by Ludwig. This is consistent with Ludwig AI's assessment of its correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

14%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to overcome" is a versatile and grammatically sound expression used to describe the act of successfully dealing with challenges or obstacles. According to Ludwig AI, it's accurate and usable in written English. Its prevalence in diverse sources, particularly in News & Media and Wiki, underscores its widespread applicability. While highly versatile, it is better not to overuse it in simple or irrelevant situations where there are more suited alternatives. Remember, the goal is not only "to overcome" linguistic hurdles but also to communicate effectively and appropriately. Therefore, use "to overcome" wisely!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to surmount

Replaces "to overcome" with a more formal synonym, suggesting a triumph over obstacles.

to conquer

Implies a more forceful and decisive victory than "to overcome".

to prevail over

Suggests winning or succeeding against opposition, similar to "to overcome".

to defeat

Implies winning against something, frequently an enemy or opponent.

to triumph over

Similar to "to prevail over", but carries a stronger sense of victory and celebration.

to get over

An informal alternative implying recovery or moving past a difficulty.

to rise above

Emphasizes transcending a difficult situation, adding a sense of elevation.

to deal with

A more general term for handling a problem, less emphatic than "to overcome".

to manage

Implies skillful handling of a situation, often with limited resources.

to handle

Similar to "to deal with", suggesting the ability to cope with a challenge.

FAQs

How can I use "to overcome" in a sentence?

You can use "to overcome" to describe the act of successfully dealing with a difficulty, such as "She worked hard "to overcome" her fears" or "They needed "to overcome" several obstacles to succeed".

What are some alternatives to "to overcome"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to surmount", "to conquer", "to prevail over", or "to get over".

Is "to overcome" formal or informal?

"To overcome" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the situation than the level of formality.

Which is correct, "overcoming" or "to overcome"?

Both "overcoming" and "to overcome" are correct, but they function differently. "Overcoming" is a gerund or present participle, while "to overcome" is an infinitive. For example, "Overcoming challenges is essential for growth," versus "We strive "to overcome" adversity".