advantages surpass the disadvantages

[alpacinou]

Can I say the advantages of something "surpass" the disadvantages?

Is this okay?

I believe the advantages of social media platforms surpass the disadvantages.

 

[Rover_KE]

It's understandable, but I'd say 'outweigh'.

 

[Tdol]

And most agree with Rover, at least since the 1840s.

 

[alpacinou]

I was already familiar with "outweigh" but wanted to know if "surpass" can be used as an alternative.
For instance, if I write an essay for TOEFL, if I use "outweigh" three times in different sentences, can I also use "surpass" in another sentence in order to avoid repetition of outweigh.

 

[5jj]

Not unless it's appropriate. The words are not synonyms.

 

[alpacinou]

Not unless it's appropriate. The words are not synonyms.

Does it work here?

I believe the advantages of social media platforms surpass the disadvantages.

 

[5jj]

No.

 

[sadra1400]

You may find these examples helpful.

1) I think that the pros of social media platforms are more important than the cons.
2) Platforms like social media have many advantages over their drawbacks, in my opinion.
3) I think there are more benefits to social media platforms than drawbacks.
4) I believe that the benefits of social media platforms exceed their drawbacks.
--
Not a teacher.

 

[alpacinou]

Does "exceed" work?

I believe the advantages of social media platforms exceed the disadvantages.

 

[jutfrank]

Does "exceed" work?

No. Use outweigh or possibly outnumber.

 

[Phaedrus]

If the difference is striking, you could also use dwarf:

The advantages dwarf the disadvantages.

 

[5jj]

If the difference is striking, you could also use dwarf:

The advantages dwarf the disadvantages.

That changes the message somewhat.

 

[Phaedrus]

Thta changes the message somewhat.

That's why I said "if the difference is striking." One could even use, rather synonymously with dwarf, tower over:

The advantages tower over the disadvantages.

 

[5jj]

One could even use, rather synonymously with dwarf, tower over: The advantages tower over the disadvantages.

I suspect that most of us wouldn't, even 'rather synonymously'.

 

[Phaedrus]

I suspect that most of us wouldn't, even 'rather synonymously'.

Get off my back. Both of my suggestions are fine, the second one being but a poetic extension of the first, which, though pooh-poohed by you, has been moderator-liked.

 

[Rover_KE]

Asked and answered.

Thread locked.