What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
beat
Example
Our team beat the opponent by a score of 3-1. [beat: verb]
Example
She felt a sense of accomplishment after beating her personal record. [beating: gerund or present participle]
overcome
Example
He was able to overcome his fear of public speaking through practice and preparation. [overcome: verb]
Example
Despite facing many obstacles, she managed to overcome them and achieve her goals. [overcoming: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Overcome is more commonly used than beat in everyday language. Overcome is versatile and can be applied to various situations and challenges, while beat is more specific to competitive contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between beat and overcome?
Both beat and overcome can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, overcome may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its broader usage in different contexts.
