a deadline passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a deadline passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a specific deadline has already occurred or is no longer valid. Example: "Unfortunately, a deadline passed for submitting the application, and we can no longer accept any entries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

A deadline passed last week; a decision may come next month.

The Economist

A deadline passed on Tuesday, but tribal leaders asked for an extension.

The New York Times

A deadline passed Thursday night with Vincor shareholders passing up Constellation's offer.

The New York Times

On Wednesday, a deadline passed for Yukos to pay $3.4 billion in back taxes for 2000.

The New York Times

A11 Deadline Passes in Macedonia A deadline passed for Albanian rebels to leave mountain villages along Macedonia's northern border.

The New York Times

No word has been heard of Cpl Shalit since a deadline passed on early on Tuesday morning.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It comes a day before a deadline passes for Mr Netanyahu to legally form a coalition.

BBC

Share the Credit, Never the Blame When a sales goal isn't met or a deadline passes without results, one knee-jerk reaction is to point fingers at your team members in order to save face.

Forbes

In his own remarks, Mr. Obama essentially called for a repeat of what happened last year when Congress, facing a similar deadline, passed a one-year extension of the current rate with bipartisan support.

The New York Times

The threat of a disclaimer loomed over five hours of negotiations Wednesday, until a midnight deadline passed, a signal that talks would continue.

The New York Times - Sports

More than 700,000 US government workers face unpaid leave in the first federal shutdown in 17 years after a midnight deadline passed for a budget deal, despite a last-ditch bid for an agreement by President Barack Obama.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a deadline passed" to neutrally state that a particular date or time limit has been reached. It does not inherently imply success or failure, but rather sets the stage for further explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "a deadline passed" if you intend to convey whether the deadline was met or missed. Clarify explicitly what the outcome was to prevent ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a deadline passed" functions as a statement of fact, indicating that a predetermined time limit has concluded. Ludwig's examples show its use in contexts ranging from business negotiations to political agreements, often setting the stage for describing subsequent events or consequences.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a deadline passed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that functions as a neutral temporal marker. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage across various contexts. While versatile, it's important to explicitly state the outcome (met or missed) to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives like "the deadline expired" or "the deadline lapsed" can be used for a more formal tone, depending on the context. When writing, remember that simply stating that "a deadline passed" sets the stage; clarity regarding the results or consequences is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the deadline expired

Replaces "passed" with "expired", emphasizing the termination of the deadline.

the deadline lapsed

Similar to "expired", but might imply a less formal setting.

the deadline was missed

Focuses on the failure to meet the deadline, rather than its mere passing.

the deadline concluded

Highlights the end or completion of the period.

the deadline was reached

Emphasizes the arrival of the deadline, without specifying success or failure.

the deadline came and went

More informal, suggesting the deadline was inconsequential or ignored.

the time limit expired

Uses "time limit" instead of "deadline", a more general term.

the period ended

More generic, suitable when the context doesn't specifically need to highlight a 'deadline'.

the cutoff date passed

Replaces 'deadline' with 'cutoff date', changing the specific diction.

the final day passed

Focuses specifically on the final day associated with the deadline.

FAQs

How can I use "a deadline passed" in a sentence?

Use "a deadline passed" to indicate that a specific date or time for completion has arrived. For example, "A deadline passed, and the project remains unfinished."

What's a more formal way to say "a deadline passed"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "the deadline expired" or "the deadline lapsed". These alternatives are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "a deadline passed" or "the deadline was missed"?

The choice depends on the context. "A deadline passed" is neutral and simply states that the date has arrived. "The deadline was missed" indicates a failure to meet the required target.

What does it mean when "a deadline passed without action"?

This indicates that the specified time concluded, but no action was taken, implying inaction or failure to comply with the deadline's requirements. You could also say "the deadline expired without any action being taken".