what surpasses

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what surpasses" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing something that exceeds or goes beyond a certain limit or standard. Example: "In the realm of creativity, what surpasses the imagination is often the most remarkable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But what surpasses it for sheer joy in nature?

The Guardian - Books

Although the Latin term 'transcendens' (i.e. 'that what surpasses [something]', pl.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

What surpassing the 0.05 boundary does is untether the academic watchdogs and sic them on any researcher who is not so conscientiously inclined.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Like many of you out there, I hope we live long enough to see what challenges, surpasses, and supersedes our best present understanding.

Forbes

"What will surpass both talent and wealth on their own is simple: hard work and discipline".

The Guardian - Opinion

The term clearly requires a complement, i.e. an indication of what is surpassed in the 'transcensus'transcensus

SEP

SkyNet. 5. What company surpassed Apple to briefly become the world's most valuable public company?

Huffington Post

In the authors' view, much of this behavior surpasses what is necessary for survival.

The New York Times - Books

"If that surpasses what's gone on here," he said, "they're going to have some issues".

The New York Times - Sports

In addition, it is critical that long-term durability of branches either matches or surpasses what has already been reported for patient-specific designs.

Seminars in Vascular Surgery

The sum easily surpasses what other titans of business have spent to seek state or federal office.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "what surpasses", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being exceeded or excelled. For example: "The innovation surpasses what was previously thought possible."

Common error

Avoid using "what surpasses" without a clear reference point. For example, instead of "The achievement surpasses what", specify "The achievement surpasses what we initially aimed for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what surpasses" functions as a relative clause, often introducing an element that exceeds or excels beyond a certain limit or expectation. Ludwig's examples show its use in expressing superior qualities or achievements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "what surpasses" functions as a relative clause to express the concept of exceeding or excelling beyond a certain limit or expectation. It is deemed grammatically correct by Ludwig and is found in various contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Academia. While its frequency is uncommon, it serves to emphasize superior qualities or achievements. Ludwig AI also provides helpful tips, such as ensuring clarity in its usage by having a clear reference point. Related phrases include "what exceeds" and "what transcends", offering alternative ways to express the concept of surpassing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what exceeds

Replaces "surpasses" with "exceeds", focusing on going beyond a limit.

what transcends

Emphasizes going beyond normal limits or boundaries.

what goes beyond

A more general way of saying something exceeds expectations or limits.

what outstrips

Highlights surpassing in terms of progress or achievement.

that which excels

Formal way to emphasize surpassing in terms of quality or skill.

what overshadows

Focuses on surpassing in a way that makes the original thing less important or noticeable.

that which outdoes

Implies surpassing by performing better or achieving more.

what is superior to

Highlights the higher quality or greater merit of something.

what is greater than

A direct comparison showing one thing is larger or more significant.

what overtakes

Suggests catching up and then moving ahead of something else.

FAQs

How can I use "what surpasses" in a sentence?

You can use "what surpasses" to introduce an element that exceeds a certain standard or expectation. For instance, "The beauty of the landscape surpasses "what I imagined"."

What are some alternatives to "what surpasses"?

Alternatives include "what exceeds", "what transcends", or "what goes beyond", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to use "what surpasses" or "what exceeds"?

"What surpasses" and "what exceeds" are relatively interchangeable in terms of formality. The choice often depends on the specific context and desired emphasis.

Can "what surpasses" be used in both positive and negative contexts?

Yes, "what surpasses" can be used in both positive and negative contexts, depending on what is being surpassed. For example, "His cruelty surpasses "what I thought possible"" demonstrates a negative usage.