was surpassed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was surpassed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that something has been exceeded, outdone, or surpassed by something else. Example: "The record for the most points scored in a basketball game was surpassed last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That goal was surpassed.

The New York Times

It was surpassed by Apple and Samsung.

The New York Times

The number was surpassed in July.

The Washington Post

Your outer beauty was surpassed only by your inner beauty.

The New York Times

This mark was surpassed in 1970 by Willie Shoemaker.

Encyclopedia Britannica

That goal was surpassed two years ahead of schedule.

The New York Times

It was surpassed only once, just barely, in 2004.

The Washington Post

"His appetite for life was surpassed only by his appetite for food, which was surpassed only by his appetite for crossbreeding house cats with wild squirrels.

The New Yorker

It held the record until 1997, when it was surpassed by Andrew Lloyd Webber's Cats.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Cobb's total of 892 stolen bases was surpassed in 1979 by Lou Brock.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the early 1960s production of natural rubber was surpassed by that of synthetic elastomers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was surpassed", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity or standard was exceeded and by what. This provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "was surpassed" when the active voice is more appropriate and direct. For instance, instead of "The record was surpassed by her", consider "She surpassed the record" for a stronger statement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was surpassed" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that something has been exceeded or outdone by something else. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts ranging from records being broken to goals being exceeded.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

20%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Science

13%

HuffPost

8%

Los Angeles Times

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was surpassed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive voice construction to express that something has been exceeded or outdone. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly found in news, encyclopedias, and scientific contexts. It serves to report the exceeding of a previous limit or achievement. When using the phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what was exceeded and by what. Although typically neutral in tone, active voice alternatives might provide a more direct and impactful statement. Related phrases include "was exceeded", "was outdone", and "was eclipsed".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was exceeded

Replaces "surpassed" with a direct synonym, focusing on the action of exceeding a limit or quantity.

was outdone

Emphasizes the competitive aspect of being surpassed, highlighting that something has been done better.

was eclipsed

Suggests a complete overshadowing, where the former achievement is now insignificant compared to the new one.

was overshadowed

Similar to eclipsed, but implies a less complete dominance; the original still exists, but is less prominent.

was transcended

Indicates that something has gone beyond normal limits, achieving a higher level or state.

was left behind

Implies that something is no longer relevant because progress has moved beyond it.

was overtaken

Suggests a more active process of catching up and moving ahead, often used in competitive contexts.

was bested

Highlights a victory or triumph over a previous record or achievement.

was improved upon

Focuses on the aspect of making something better than it was before.

was outstripped

Suggests a significant margin of surpassing, indicating a considerable difference.

FAQs

How do I use "was surpassed" in a sentence?

Use "was surpassed" to indicate that a previous record, limit, or achievement has been exceeded by a new one. For example, "The sales record was surpassed by the new product launch".

What can I say instead of "was surpassed"?

You can use alternatives like "was exceeded", "was outdone", or "was eclipsed" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "was surpassed" or "surpassed"?

"Was surpassed" is in the passive voice and is suitable when the focus is on the thing being exceeded. "Surpassed" is in the active voice and is used when the focus is on the entity doing the exceeding. For instance, "The goal was surpassed" vs "They surpassed the goal".

What's the difference between "was surpassed" and "was improved upon"?

"Was surpassed" indicates that something has exceeded a previous level, while "was improved upon" implies that something has been made better or more effective. The former focuses on exceeding a limit, while the latter focuses on enhancement.