to surmount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to surmount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to overcoming obstacles or challenges. Example: "She was determined to surmount the difficulties she faced in her career."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Often, they are easy enough to surmount.

The Economist

But there were hurdles to surmount.

The New York Times

The first and hardest to surmount is historical.

The Economist

Any buyer would have to surmount some big obstacles.

The Economist

In practice, they have lots of obstacles to surmount.

The Economist

And there are other big hurdles still to surmount.

The New York Times

We are not going to surmount or solve climate change.

The New York Times

So it fell to United to surmount another worrying statistic.

The Guardian - Sport

There are still many open questions that nanotechnology needs to surmount, ranging from viability to safety.

The New York Times

Third, plaintiff lawyers will have to surmount several obstacles before they can bring a case.

The Economist

A curiously old-fashioned flying saucer is the avatar, with myriad obstacles and enemies to surmount.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to surmount", ensure the context clearly indicates what obstacle or challenge is being overcome. Provide specific details to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

While "to surmount" is a valid phrase, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "to overcome" or "to get over" in such contexts to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to surmount" primarily functions as an infinitive of purpose. It describes the intention or goal behind an action, indicating that something is done in order to overcome an obstacle or difficulty. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is generally correct and appropriate in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

31%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to surmount" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed infinitive of purpose, predominantly used to express the act of overcoming obstacles or challenges. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts, particularly in news, scientific, and formal business domains. While highly versatile, it is essential to consider the tone and register of your writing, opting for simpler alternatives in informal settings to maintain naturalness. The phrase carries a neutral-to-formal tone and is often favored in academic, scientific, and professional discourse. Remember to provide specific context to highlight the obstacle effectively, increasing the clarity and impact of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with or gaining control over difficulties.

to conquer

Implies a more forceful and decisive victory over an obstacle.

to get over

Suggests recovering from a setback or emotional difficulty.

to rise above

Emphasizes surpassing a negative situation or limitation.

to prevail over

Highlights emerging as the dominant force despite opposition.

to triumph over

Indicates a celebratory victory over adversity.

to hurdle

Implies jumping over an obstacle, whether literal or figurative.

to clear

Suggests successfully passing a test or obstacle.

to navigate

Focuses on skillfully guiding oneself through a complex situation.

to negotiate

Implies carefully working through difficulties to reach a resolution.

FAQs

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

Use "to surmount" when you want to express overcoming an obstacle or difficulty. For example, "They needed to develop a new strategy "to surmount" the challenges in the market".

What can I say instead of "to surmount"?

You can use alternatives like "to overcome", "to conquer", or "to get over" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "to surmount" or "surmounting"?

"To surmount" is the infinitive form and is used with auxiliary verbs or to express purpose. "Surmounting" is the gerund or present participle form and is used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense. For instance, "Surmounting challenges requires perseverance", while "They worked hard "to surmount" the obstacle".

What's the difference between "to surmount" and "to overcome"?

While both phrases mean to successfully deal with a difficulty, ""to surmount"" often implies a greater degree of effort or skill in overcoming a significant obstacle. "To overcome" is a more general term.