What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
outgrew
Example
I outgrew my favorite shirt from when I was a child. [outgrew: past tense]
Example
As he got older, he outgrew his fear of the dark. [outgrew: verb]
surpassed
Example
Her grades this semester surpassed her previous academic achievements. [surpassed: past tense]
Example
The new product sales have surpassed those of the previous year. [surpassed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Surpassed is more commonly used than outgrew in everyday language. Surpassed is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while outgrew is less common and refers to a specific type of growth or change.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between outgrew and surpassed?
Both outgrew and surpassed are relatively formal words and may not be commonly used in casual conversation. However, surpassed may be more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
