was outpaced

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was outpaced" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has been surpassed or exceeded in speed, performance, or progress by another person or entity. Example: "In the final lap of the race, the leading runner was outpaced by a newcomer who sprinted ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

'The horse was outpaced after 100 yards and got a long way behind,' he says curtly.

The Guardian - Sport

She broke all fundraising records before she was outpaced by Obama.

The Guardian - Opinion

Import growth of 18.4% in the year to February was outpaced by a 23.5% expansion in exports.

The Economist

In 1924 the Fireball was outpaced by the Bobs, a collaboration between noted inventors Frederick Church and Harry Traver.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For much of the 20th century, however, skill-biased technological change was outpaced by advances in educational attainment.

The New York Times

For the second month in a row it was outpaced by the British discounter Iceland, where sales rose 8.6%.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Maybe because population, and thus demand, was outpacing improvements in productivity (of land, notably) and supply.

The Economist

With nearly all the precincts reporting, Hassan was outpacing Ayotte by about 700 votes. .

Los Angeles Times

But they have been outpaced by events.

The Economist

Yet the French were being outpaced by rivals.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The relevant law has been outpaced by war and technology.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was outpaced" to clearly indicate that something or someone was surpassed in speed, progress, or performance. Ensure the subject and object of the verb are clearly defined for better understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "was outpaced" in active voice constructions. "Was outpaced" is inherently passive; using it actively can create grammatically incorrect and confusing sentences. For example, avoid saying "The company was outpacing the competitor" when you mean "The competitor was outpaced by the company".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was outpaced" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that a subject experienced a decrease in relative progress compared to something else. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's used to describe situations where one entity is surpassed by another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

14%

Encyclopedias

6%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was outpaced" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive verb phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It effectively conveys that a subject has been surpassed in speed, performance, or progress. Predominantly found in News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, it maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse contexts. When writing, ensure correct passive voice usage and clarity regarding the subject and object. Alternatives like "was surpassed" or "was overtaken" can be used depending on the intended nuance. Understanding these nuances helps ensure precise and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was surpassed

Focuses on exceeding a limit or boundary, often in a numerical or measurable sense.

was exceeded

Implies going beyond a set limit or expectation; emphasizes the action of surpassing.

was overtaken

Specifically indicates one thing moving past another, particularly in a race or competition.

was outstripped

Conveys a strong sense of exceeding or surpassing, often in terms of growth or progress.

was left behind

Emphasizes the consequence of being slower or less advanced; highlights the separation.

was outdone

Highlights that someone or something performed better than another, often in a competitive situation.

was eclipsed

Suggests a complete obscuring or overshadowing, implying a loss of prominence.

was overshadowed

Similar to eclipsed but can imply a more gradual or subtle loss of prominence.

fell behind

Focuses on the action of lagging or trailing, often implying a loss of momentum.

couldn't keep up

Emphasizes the inability to maintain the same pace or level of progress.

FAQs

How can I use "was outpaced" in a sentence?

Use "was outpaced" to indicate that something or someone was surpassed or exceeded by another in terms of speed, progress, or performance. For example: "The growth of cable subscribers "was outpaced" by fiber optics."

What are some alternatives to "was outpaced"?

Alternatives include "was surpassed", "was exceeded", or "was overtaken". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "was outpaced" or "outpaced"?

"Was outpaced" is passive voice, while "outpaced" is active voice. Use "was outpaced" when you want to emphasize the thing that was surpassed, and "outpaced" when you want to emphasize the actor that did the surpassing. For example, "The runner was outpaced" versus "She outpaced the runner."

What does "was outpaced by" mean?

The phrase "was outpaced by" means that something was surpassed in progress, speed, or achievement by something else. For example: "The team's fundraising efforts "was outpaced by" a single generous donation."