out + perform

Use 'outperform' as one word when you mean "do better than." Writing 'out perform' is a spacing mistake, not a different verb. Below are clear rules, quick checks, and many ready-to-use rewrites for work, school, and casual contexts.

Quick answer

'Outperform' is one closed word. Replace any 'out perform' with 'outperform' when it means "do better than."

Forms: outperform, outperforms, outperformed, outperforming.
Don't split: 'out perform' is wrong for the verb meaning "do better than."
Hyphens (out-perform) are rarely needed and usually unnecessary in prose.

Core explanation: prefix vs phrasal verb

Here, out- is a prefix that attaches to a verb to make a single verb (outrun, outgrow, outperform). Phrasal verbs combine a verb + particle and stay separate (set up, back off).

Prefix + verb → closed: outperform.
Phrasal verb (verb + particle) → spaced: set up (to arrange).
If the meaning is "do better than," close the word; most dictionaries list 'outperform' as one word.

Wrong: She tried to out perform the previous record.
Right: She tried to outperform the previous record.

Hyphenation and style

Use the closed form in standard prose. Hyphens like 'out-perform' appear only for forced line breaks, branding, or odd house styles-avoid them in formal writing.

Avoid 'out-perform' in reports and essays.
Acceptable only for specific layout needs or explicit style rules.

Headline (layout): Out-perform Expectations - acceptable if preventing an awkward break.
Prose - Wrong: We will out-perform the competition.
Prose - Right: We will outperform the competition.

Spacing errors: quick diagnostic and fix

Typical causes: fast typing, autocorrect, or treating 'out' as a separate word. Fix quickly by checking intent, closing the space, and confirming tense and agreement.

If meaning = "do better than" → replace 'out perform' with 'outperform'.
Then confirm tense and subject-verb agreement.
For long documents, search for "out perform" and review each hit rather than blindly replacing.

Work - Wrong: Q2 we out perform our estimates by 7%.
Work - Right: In Q2 we outperformed our estimates by 7%.
School - Wrong: The project out perform expectations.
School - Right: The project outperformed expectations.
Casual - Wrong: They out perform everyone every week.
Casual - Right: They outperform everyone every week.

Grammar note: conjugation and agreement

Treat 'outperform' like any regular verb. After closing the space, adjust endings to match subject and tense.

I/you/we/they outperform; he/she/it outperforms.
Past: outperformed. Progressive: outperforming.

Wrong: She always tries to out perform him and often outperform.
Right: She always tries to outperform him and often outperforms him.
Wrong: The model out perform on accuracy last year.
Right: The model outperformed on accuracy last year.

Real usage: tone and context (work, school, casual)

'Outperform' is neutral and slightly formal-ideal for reports, academic writing, CVs, and measured commentary. For informal messages, use 'beat' or 'do better than.' Below are natural choices by context.

Work: use 'outperform' for metrics, reports, and press copy.
School: use it in results, abstracts, and lab reports.
Casual: prefer 'beat' or 'did better than' in texts and social posts.

Work: Our platform outperforms competitors in latency and throughput.
Work (CV): Consistently outperformed quarterly sales goals by 15%.
School (lab): The treatment group outperformed controls on the retention test.
School (abstract): Algorithm A outperformed baseline methods on accuracy and runtime.
Casual (text): They beat us again-our striker outperformed everyone tonight!
Casual (post): She totally outperformed expectations at her first gig.

Try your own sentence

Test the whole sentence rather than the phrase alone. Context usually makes the correct form obvious.

Rewrite help: ready-to-use fixes (copy/paste)

When you find 'out perform', use these short repairs. Each pair fixes spacing and, when needed, tense or agreement.

Three-step repair: identify intent → close the space → correct tense/number.
If a clause feels repetitive or stiff, prefer a concise rewrite for clarity.

Work:
Original: Our platform will out perform expectations this quarter. →
Rewrite: Our platform will outperform expectations this quarter.
Work:
Original: If we out perform the market, investors will be pleased. →
Rewrite: If we outperform the market, investors will be pleased.
School:
Original: The student out perform his peers in math. →
Rewrite: The student outperformed his peers in math.
School:
Original: Labs out perform older techniques frequently. →
Rewrite: Labs often outperform older techniques.
Casual:
Original: I think I can out perform them tonight. →
Rewrite: I think I can outperform them tonight. / Informal: I think I can beat them tonight.
Mixed: Original: They out perform and then back up their claims. →
Rewrite: They outperform their rivals and back up their claims.

Examples: many wrong → right pairs (work, school, casual)

These pairs address spacing plus common tense and agreement issues. Use them as templates you can adapt.

Work - Wrong: The sales team managed to out perform projections last month.
Work - Right: The sales team managed to outperform projections last month.
Work - Wrong: Our algorithm out perform older models on accuracy and speed.
Work - Right: Our algorithm outperforms older models on accuracy and speed.
Work - Wrong: If we out perform, bonuses will follow.
Work - Right: If we outperform, bonuses will follow.
School - Wrong: The debate team out perform most other schools.
School - Right: The debate team outperformed most other schools.
School - Wrong: Students who out perform expectations often need more challenges.
School - Right: Students who outperform expectations often need more challenges.
School - Wrong: The new method helps labs out perform older techniques.
School - Right: The new method helps labs outperform older techniques.
Casual - Wrong: They always out perform us in foosball.
Casual - Right: They always outperform us in foosball.
Casual - Wrong: He tried to out perform his sister but failed.
Casual - Right: He tried to outperform his sister but failed.
Casual - Wrong: I out perform them sometimes. (stiff)
Casual - Right: Better: I beat them sometimes. /
Formal: I sometimes outperform them.

Memory trick: a short mnemonic

Think: out+verb = do more of that verb. If 'out' changes the action to "more" or "better," close it up.

Mnemonic: outrun, outgrow, outperform - out sticks to the verb.
Replacement test: if "do better than" fits, use the closed form.
Usage test: "They outperformed us" → "They did better than us" (same meaning → closed).

Similar mistakes to watch for

Apply the same meaning test and dictionary check to other commonly split words.

setup (noun) vs set up (phrasal verb): The setup vs Please set up the room.
backup (noun) vs back up (verb): We have a backup plan vs Back up your files.
oversee (one word) vs over see (incorrect split); breakthrough (noun) vs break through (verb).

Wrong: We need to out perform and then back up our data.
Right: We need to outperform and then back up our data.
Wrong: Make a set up for the experiment. (ambiguous)
Right: Make a setup for the experiment. / Please set up the equipment.

FAQ

Is 'out perform' ever correct?

Not for the verb meaning "do better than." Use 'outperform.' You might see 'out perform' only when a forced line break splits the word or in older typesetting, but not in standard prose.

Should I hyphenate 'outperform' in a headline?

Usually no. Hyphens are a layout tool to control breaks; prefer the closed form unless typography or a style guide requires otherwise.

How do I change tense after fixing 'out perform'?

Treat it as a regular verb: outperforms (third-person), outperformed (past), outperforming (progressive). Ensure subject-verb agreement after you remove the space.

What's the difference between 'outperform' and 'beat'?

'Outperform' is more formal and neutral-good for reports and academic writing. 'Beat' is informal and more forceful. Choose based on tone and audience.

How can I stop making this mistake in long documents?

Search for "out perform" and review replacements, add a custom rule in your spellchecker or style tool, and enable a grammar checker to flag spacing errors automatically.

Fix sentences fast

Search your document for "out perform" and apply the rewrites above. For repeated errors, add 'outperform' to your custom dictionary or a grammar tool to flag the split.

If you want, paste one sentence here and get a copyable rewrite.