"are exceeded" vs "are exceeding"

Question

"are exceeded" vs "are exceeding"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Are exceeding' is used to indicate an ongoing action where something is surpassing a limit or expectation, while 'are exceeded' is used to show that something has already surpassed a limit or expectation.

Last Updated: March 30, 2024

Use 'are exceeded' when you want to express that something has already surpassed a limit or expectation. It indicates a completed action.

Examples:

Our sales targets are exceeded for this month.
The maximum capacity of the venue is exceeded.
The expectations of the investors are exceeded by the company's performance.

Alternatives:

have been surpassed
have been exceeded
have gone beyond
have outstripped
have outdone

Use 'are exceeding' when you want to express that something is currently surpassing a limit or expectation. It indicates an ongoing action.

Examples:

Our expenses are exceeding our budget for this quarter.
The noise levels are exceeding the acceptable limits set by the city.
The number of participants are exceeding our initial expectations.

Alternatives:

are surpassing
are going beyond
are overreaching
are outstripping
are outdoing

Answer 1

are exceeded

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something has already surpassed a limit or expectation.

Answer 2

are exceeding

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate an ongoing action of surpassing a limit or expectation.

"are exceeded" vs "are exceeding"

are exceeded

are exceeding

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