transcend

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "transcend" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of going beyond limits or surpassing expectations in various contexts, such as personal growth, art, or philosophy. Example: "Her ability to transcend cultural barriers made her a remarkable ambassador for peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That's one of the reasons why there is this difference between the £2bn figure and the £500m, because we recognise that when it comes to emergency treatment, when it comes to public health, there are obligations that we have that transcend any desire to correct back money for people who aren't entitled to free NHS care.

The Guardian

Helsinki aims to transcend conventional public transport by allowing people to purchase mobility in real time, straight from their smartphones.

The Guardian

"Since I shall not be a candidate, and am therefore now free from the constraints that elections inevitably impose, I shall be able to focus on driving far-reaching, fundamental reforms that transcend our previous efforts," he claimed, complaining that he did not have enough control over those that sit around his executive committee table.

The Guardian - Sport

Of the dramas, Kevin Williamson serial killer show The Following looks set to transcend its material if only because of the cast: James Purefoy as a serial killer, Kevin Bacon as the agent who comes out of retirement to catch him.

The Guardian

The publishers, the University of New South Wales publisher NewSouth Books, said of the diaries: "This riveting book gives the best picture ever published of a politician on the world stage … it is a diary that will transcend other Australian political diaries.

The Guardian

Fortunately, this new world is weird enough to transcend the inevitable comparisons to the trilogy by Christopher Nolan.

The Guardian - Film

"The early internet was this alternate, separate place that was meant to transcend all the problems and censorship of real world society," says the journalist Jamie Bartlett, a specialist on internet culture and author of the book The Dark Net.

The Guardian - Music

Martina Correia, Davis's sister, who kept vigil at the prison until the end, said that a movement had been formed that would transcend her brother's death.

The Guardian

The Republican National Committee power players converged this week at a swanky California hotel to chart a roadmap back to political relevancy, a blueprint to finally transcend the various tactical failings that contributed to their second consecutive presidential defeat only months earlier.

The Guardian - Opinion

There's also the same potential to change and to transcend past behaviors.

The Guardian

Working in groups (for example, of farmers or women) people should become able to manage their finances better and thus transcend the current, short-term approach to finance.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "transcend" to describe situations where something goes beyond normal limits or boundaries, suggesting a level of achievement or understanding that surpasses the ordinary.

Common error

Avoid using "transcend" when simpler words like "exceed" or "surpass" would suffice. "Transcend" carries a connotation of elevated achievement and is best reserved for situations that truly reflect this meaning.

Linguistic Context

Transcend functions primarily as a verb. It signifies the act of surpassing, exceeding, or going beyond a limit or boundary. Ludwig shows that it's used when something rises above conventional limitations or expectations. It indicates an achievement or quality that goes beyond the ordinary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "transcend" is a verb that means to surpass or go beyond the limits of something, often in a significant or exceptional way. According to Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in news and media, and formal business settings. While alternatives like "surpass" or "exceed" exist, "transcend" carries a connotation of elevated achievement. Therefore, it is best used when describing something truly extraordinary. Being mindful of the contexts in which you utilize the term will ensure clarity and precision when conveying a message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

surpass

A direct synonym, indicating exceeding or outdoing something.

go beyond

Indicates exceeding a limit or boundary, similar to "transcend" but less formal.

exceed limitations

Emphasizes the act of surpassing restrictions, similar to but more explicit than "transcend".

rise above

Focuses on overcoming a challenge or negative situation, whereas "transcend" can refer to exceeding any kind of limit.

rise above

Emphasizes overcoming a negative situation or challenge, unlike the neutral connotation of "transcend".

outstrip

Implies exceeding something, often in a competitive context, more so than "transcend".

break through

Highlights overcoming an obstacle, unlike "transcend" which can be more general.

be superior to

Highlights a state of being better than something, slightly different from the act of surpassing implied by "transcend".

overcome

Focuses on successfully dealing with a difficulty or challenge, differing from the broader sense of "transcend".

move past

Suggests leaving something behind, while "transcend" focuses on surpassing it.

FAQs

How can I use "transcend" in a sentence?

You can use "transcend" to describe something that goes beyond the limits of ordinary experience, knowledge, or achievement. For example, "Her performance transcended the boundaries of classical music".

What words can I use instead of "transcend"?

You can use alternatives like "surpass", "exceed", or "go beyond" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "transcend" and "surpass"?

"Transcend" often implies rising above or going beyond limitations in a more profound or spiritual way, while "surpass" generally means to exceed or be greater than something else.

Is it correct to say something "transcends" expectations?

Yes, it is correct. Saying something "transcends" expectations means it goes beyond what was expected, often in a remarkable or exceptional way. For example, "The movie transcended all expectations and became a box office hit".