The correct spelling of "are overtaken" is /ɑr ovərˈteɪkən/. The first word, "are," is a present tense form of the verb "to be" and is pronounced /ɑr/. The second word, "overtaken," is a past participle form of the verb "to overtake" and is pronounced /ovərˈteɪkən/. The sound "over" is pronounced with the schwa sound /ə/ followed by the stressed syllable "take" pronounced with the long "a" sound /eɪ/. Together, these words form a grammatically correct sentence describing a situation where something or someone is being surpassed or overcome by something else.
"Are overtaken" refers to a state when something or someone is surpassed, caught up with, or overtaken by someone or something else. It implies a situation where a person, object, or a particular state is no longer in the lead or ahead of others, and has been surpassed by those who were initially behind.
In the context of a race or competition, if a runner "is overtaken," it means that another runner has passed them and is now ahead. Similarly, in a sporting event or game, if a team "is overtaken," it suggests that their opponents have surpassed them in score or performance. This phrase can also be applied to other circumstances that involve progress, achievement, or rankings, such as business, academic, or social situations.
Metaphorically, being overtaken can also refer to being overwhelmed, overpowered, or outmatched, particularly in situations where one's abilities, efforts, or resources fall short compared to others. For instance, a person's financial situation or personal affairs "being overtaken" may allude to them being overwhelmed by debt, responsibilities, or challenges that they are unable to handle effectively.
In summary, being overtaken implies a situation where someone or something is no longer leading or at the forefront, having been surpassed or outperformed by someone or something else, either physically, metaphorically, competitively, or by some other means.
The phrase "are overtaken" is not a standalone word, but rather a combination of two words: "are" and "overtaken".
The word "are" is the second person plural present tense of the verb "be", used with plural subjects and "you". It has its roots in Old English and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*ariz", meaning "to be".
The word "overtaken" is the past participle form of the verb "overtake". It comes from the combination of the Middle English word "overtaken" and the Old English word "oferteón", which means "to take or seize". In Old English, the word could also refer to physically taking possession, gaining control, or surpassing someone.