Outperform vs Outstrip: Differences And Uses For Each One

When it comes to comparing two things, the words “outperform” and “outstrip” are often used interchangeably. However, there are subtle differences between the two that are important to understand in order to use them correctly.

Outperform and outstrip are both verbs that mean to exceed or surpass something else. However, outperform typically refers to doing better than expected or better than others in the same category, while outstrip often refers to exceeding or surpassing something in a way that is unsustainable or unattainable.

For example, a company may outperform its competitors by achieving better sales numbers or profit margins. On the other hand, a company may outstrip its resources by growing too quickly or taking on too much debt.

In this article, we will explore the differences between outperform and outstrip in more detail and provide examples of how to use each word correctly.

Define Outperform

Outperform is a verb that means to perform better than someone or something else in a particular activity or task. It is often used in the context of comparing the performance of companies, investments, or individuals. Outperforming can be measured in a variety of ways, including financial metrics such as revenue growth, profitability, and return on investment, as well as non-financial metrics such as customer satisfaction, employee engagement, and social impact.

For example, a company that outperforms its competitors in terms of revenue growth may have a larger market share or a more effective sales strategy. Similarly, an individual who outperforms their colleagues in terms of productivity may be more efficient or have a better work ethic.

Define Outstrip

Outstrip is a verb that means to exceed or surpass someone or something in a particular quality or quantity. It is often used in the context of comparing the performance of products, services, or individuals. Outstripping can be measured in a variety of ways, including speed, capacity, and effectiveness.

For example, a new smartphone that outstrips its predecessors in terms of processing power or camera quality may be more appealing to consumers. Similarly, a service provider that outstrips its competitors in terms of customer service or reliability may attract more customers.

Comparison Table: Outperform vs Outstrip

Term	Meaning	Measurement	Example
Outperform	To perform better than someone or something else	Financial and non-financial metrics	A company that outperforms its competitors in terms of revenue growth
Outstrip	To exceed or surpass someone or something else	Speed, capacity, and effectiveness	A new smartphone that outstrips its predecessors in terms of processing power or camera quality

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

When it comes to choosing between the words outperform and outstrip, it’s important to understand their meanings and usage in a sentence. In this section, we’ll look at how to properly use these words to convey your intended meaning.

How To Use ‘Outperform’ In A Sentence

The word ‘outperform’ means to perform better than someone or something else. Here are some examples of how to use ‘outperform’ in a sentence:

• Our company’s sales outperformed our competitors’ sales by 20% last quarter.
• The athlete’s performance outperformed his personal best by several seconds.
• The new software outperforms the old software in terms of speed and efficiency.

Notice that ‘outperform’ is typically used to compare one thing to another. It’s often used in a business or sports context to describe how well a company or individual is doing in comparison to their competitors or previous performance.

How To Use ‘Outstrip’ In A Sentence

The word ‘outstrip’ means to surpass or exceed someone or something in a particular way. Here are some examples of how to use ‘outstrip’ in a sentence:

• The demand for the new product outstripped our expectations, and we had to increase production to keep up.
• Her intelligence outstrips that of her classmates, and she consistently earns top grades.
• The growth of the company has outstripped its ability to hire new employees, leading to a high workload for current staff.

Notice that ‘outstrip’ is typically used to describe a situation where one thing has exceeded or surpassed another in a specific way. It’s often used in a business or academic context to describe how well a company or individual is doing in comparison to their expectations or previous performance.

More Examples Of Outperform & Outstrip Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how the words “outperform” and “outstrip” can be used in sentences. These examples will help you better understand the context in which these words are used and how they can be applied in different situations.

Examples Of Using Outperform In A Sentence

• The new product line is expected to outperform the previous year’s sales.
• Our company has consistently outperformed our competitors in terms of customer satisfaction.
• John’s performance on the project was outstanding, he managed to outperform all of his colleagues.
• The athlete trained hard to outperform his personal best record.
• The stock market has outperformed expectations this quarter.
• The company’s profits have outperformed the industry average for the past three years.
• The new software program has been designed to outperform its competitors in terms of speed and efficiency.
• Our team is determined to outperform the competition in the upcoming tournament.
• The company’s marketing campaign has helped them to outperform their sales targets.
• The CEO’s leadership skills have enabled the company to outperform its competitors in the market.

Examples Of Using Outstrip In A Sentence

• The demand for the new product has outstripped supply, causing a shortage in the market.
• The company’s growth has outstripped their ability to hire new employees.
• The speed of technological advancements has outstripped our ability to keep up.
• The cost of living has outstripped the average person’s income in recent years.
• The company’s profits have outstripped their initial projections for the year.
• The population growth in the city has outstripped the local government’s ability to provide adequate services.
• The company’s marketing campaign has helped them to outstrip their competitors in terms of sales.
• The athlete’s performance has outstripped all previous records in the sport.
• The company’s expansion plans have outstripped their financial resources.
• The company’s innovation has outstripped their competitors, making them the market leader.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using the words outperform and outstrip, many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this is a common mistake that can lead to confusion and misinterpretation of the intended meaning. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using Outperform When Outstrip Is Appropriate

One common mistake is using outperform when outstrip is the appropriate word to use. While both words convey the idea of doing better than someone or something else, outstrip specifically means to exceed or surpass in a particular area. For example, “The new technology outstrips the previous version in terms of speed and efficiency.” Using outperform in this context would not accurately convey the intended meaning.

Using Outstrip When Outperform Is Appropriate

Conversely, another mistake is using outstrip when outperform is the more appropriate word to use. Outperform means to do better than someone or something else in a general sense, whereas outstrip implies a specific area of comparison. For example, “The company’s profits outperformed last year’s earnings.” Using outstrip in this context would not accurately convey the intended meaning.

Confusing The Meanings

Another common mistake is confusing the meanings of the two words. It is important to remember that while both words convey the idea of doing better than someone or something else, they have distinct meanings. Outstrip specifically means to exceed or surpass in a particular area, while outperform means to do better than someone or something else in a general sense.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

• Take the time to understand the specific meanings of each word.
• Consider the context in which the word is being used to determine the appropriate choice.
• Use a thesaurus to find alternative words if you are unsure of which word to use.

Context Matters

When it comes to choosing the right word to describe something, context always matters. This is especially true when it comes to the words “outperform” and “outstrip.” While they may seem interchangeable at first glance, there are certain situations where one word may be more appropriate than the other.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “outperform” and “outstrip” might change:

Context	Appropriate Word Choice
Financial Markets	“Outperform”
In this context, “outperform” is often used to describe a stock or investment that has performed better than its peers or the overall market. For example, “Apple’s stock has consistently outperformed the NASDAQ over the past year.”
Sports	“Outstrip”
In the world of sports, “outstrip” is often used to describe a team or athlete that has surpassed their competition in terms of performance or achievement. For example, “Usain Bolt outstripped his rivals to win the gold medal in the 100m sprint.”
Technology	“Outperform”
When it comes to technology, “outperform” is often used to describe a device or system that performs better than its competitors. For example, “The new iPhone’s processor outperforms all other smartphones on the market.”

As you can see, the choice between “outperform” and “outstrip” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the nuances of each word and choose the one that best conveys the intended meaning.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using outperform and outstrip are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply.

1. Contextual Usage

Depending on the context, either outperform or outstrip might be more appropriate. For instance, in the context of sports, outperform is often used to describe an individual or team that has exceeded expectations. However, in the context of finance, outstrip might be the better choice to describe a company that has surpassed its competitors in terms of growth or revenue.

2. Negative Connotations

While both outperform and outstrip have positive connotations, there are situations where they might be used in a negative sense. For example, if a company is accused of using unethical practices to outperform its competitors, it might be seen as a negative thing. Similarly, if a country’s economy is outstripping the rest of the world due to exploitation of resources, it might be viewed negatively.

3. Regional Differences

There might also be regional differences in the usage of outperform and outstrip. For instance, in British English, outstrip is more commonly used to mean “to leave behind” while in American English, outperform is more commonly used to mean “to do better than.” Therefore, it is important to consider the audience and location when choosing which word to use.

4. Nuances Of Meaning

Finally, there might be subtle differences in meaning between outperform and outstrip that make one more appropriate than the other in certain situations. For example, outperform might imply a more sustained level of excellence over time, while outstrip might imply a more sudden or dramatic surge ahead of competitors.

Examples of Nuances of Meaning

Word	Example	Nuance of Meaning
Outperform	The company consistently outperformed its competitors over the past year.	Implies sustained excellence over time
Outstrip	The company outstripped its competitors with a sudden surge in revenue this quarter.	Implies a sudden or dramatic surge ahead of competitors

Practice Exercises

Now that we have examined the differences between outperform and outstrip, it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. Here are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word to fill in the blank in each sentence.

Sentence	Outperform or Outstrip?
The new company hopes to _______ its competitors in sales this quarter.	Outperform
Despite his hard work, he couldn’t _______ his colleagues in the race.	Outstrip
The athlete’s performance in the Olympics _______ all expectations.	Outperformed
The new technology has the potential to _______ all previous models.	Outstrip

Answer Key:

• The new company hopes to outperform its competitors in sales this quarter.
• Despite his hard work, he couldn’t outstrip his colleagues in the race.
• The athlete’s performance in the Olympics outperformed all expectations.
• The new technology has the potential to outstrip all previous models.

Exercise 2: Sentence Completion

Complete each sentence with the correct form of outperform or outstrip.

1. The company’s new marketing strategy has helped them _______ their sales goals.
2. Despite his talent, he was _______ by his opponent in the final round.
3. The new employee has _______ her colleagues in productivity this month.
4. The team’s hard work and dedication helped them _______ their previous record.

Answer Key:

• The company’s new marketing strategy has helped them outperform their sales goals.
• Despite his talent, he was outstripped by his opponent in the final round.
• The new employee has outperformed her colleagues in productivity this month.
• The team’s hard work and dedication helped them outstrip their previous record.

By practicing with these exercises, you’ll be able to confidently use outperform and outstrip in your writing and speaking.

Conclusion

Outperform and outstrip are two verbs commonly used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and usage in the English language. Understanding the difference between these two words can help you communicate more effectively and avoid confusion.

Key Takeaways

• Outperform means to do better than someone or something in a specific task or area.
• Outstrip means to exceed or surpass someone or something in a general sense.
• Outperform is often used in a competitive context, while outstrip is used to describe a general superiority.
• Both words can be used in various tenses and forms, such as outperformed, outstripping, etc.

By using these words correctly, you can avoid confusion and convey your message more clearly. As with any aspect of language and grammar, it’s important to continue learning and improving your skills.

Whether you’re a writer, a student, or a professional, mastering the nuances of language use can help you succeed in your endeavors.