ENGLISH
REFERENCE

overtook

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌoʊvɝˈtʊk// UK //ˌəʊvətˈʊk// over·took

v. the past tense of overtake. It means you moved past a slower person or vehicle while traveling in the same direction.

v. the past tense of 'overtake'. Refers to the act of catching up with and passing a person or vehicle traveling in the same direction, or becoming greater in number or importance.


SIMPLE

The blue car overtook the slow truck on the highway.

CONTEXTUAL

The runner overtook the leader in the final lap to win the gold medal.

COMPLEX

By the end of the decade, the small startup had overtook its established rivals in market share, signaling a permanent shift in the industry's landscape.

Synonyms
Usage

The verb is transitive and requires a direct object. As the past tense of 'overtake', it is distinct from the past participle 'overtaken'.

Pitfall

The car has overtook us.The car has overtaken us.Learners often confuse the past tense 'overtook' with the past participle 'overtaken' when using the present perfect.

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