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Prepositions after verbs

Surpass by, in, after, at or before?

Surpass is usually followed directly by an object. By can show the amount of difference. Other prepositions are usually separate time or place phrases.

Quick answer

What prepositions are used with surpass?

Use surpass someone or something directly. Use surpass by to state the margin: surpass competitors by 10%. In, after, at, and before are usually separate context phrases, not fixed combinations.

The company surpassed its rivals.
They surpassed expectations by a wide margin.
Sales surpassed forecasts in the final quarter.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
surpass + object

Comparing with something lower

Surpass normally takes a direct object without a preposition.

Her performance surpassed expectations.
This year’s profits surpassed last year’s figures.
2
surpass by + amount

Showing the margin of difference

By introduces how much one thing exceeds another.

We surpassed the target by 12%.
The athlete surpassed the record by two seconds.
3
surpass + object in + context

Adding a field or period

In can introduce the area or time related to the comparison.

The brand surpassed competitors in Europe.
Output surpassed expectations in June.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
surpass by
They surpassed the goal by 5%.
standard for the amount exceeded
surpass in
She surpassed her peers in creativity.
in introduces the area of comparison
surpass after
Sales surpassed forecasts after the launch.
after adds time, not a fixed verb pattern
surpass at
He surpassed everyone at chess.
at belongs to the activity phrase
surpass before
Profits surpassed expectations before year-end.
before adds timing only

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Adding an unnecessary preposition

Surpass usually takes a direct object.

✕ The product surpassed over its competitors. ✓ The product surpassed its competitors.

Using by without a comparison

By should introduce the amount of difference.

✕ The company surpassed by last year. ✓ The company surpassed last year's results.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The team surpassed expectations ___ 15%.
2. She surpassed her colleagues ___ innovation.
3. The company surpassed its competitors ___ the final quarter.

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Frequently asked questions

Does surpass need a preposition?

Usually no. It commonly takes a direct object.

Is surpass by correct?

Yes, when you state the amount exceeded.

Can I use surpass at?

Only when at belongs to another phrase, such as at chess or at work.

sack, by, sack, for, sack, from "sacrifice for" or "sacrifice to"? sail from, in, for, to or through? "salvage from" or "salvage in"? sanction by, for, in, with or according? satisfy with, by, in, about or after? "saturate with" or "saturate in"? save by, for, from, on or in? "say in", "say about" or "say to"? "scan for", "scan in" or "scan through"? "scar by" or "scar on"? scatter in, across, around, throughout or on?

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