a message was passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a message was passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of conveying information or communication from one person or entity to another. Example: "During the meeting, a message was passed from the management to the employees regarding the new policy changes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

A message was passed on to me and I was able to send roses by Interflora.

The New Yorker

One night, during a dinner party in Lausanne, a message was passed to her under the table.

The Guardian - Film

A message was passed to Sharon: in anticipation that his trust-Bush argument would prevail, the stock market in Tel Aviv had rocketed up nearly 7percentt (equivalent to a 600-point rise in our Dow Jones industrial average).

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

After being interviewed, he asked that a message be passed on.

The New York Times

As a result, many hospitalized patients are at the mercy of a real-life game of telephone, where a message is passed from doctor to doctor — and frequently garbled in the process.

The New York Times - Magazine

A message is passed around the sensors in the clockwise direction.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Referring to this basic framework, all the nodes have the same weight, meaning that a message is passed from a node to all its neighbors.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

Just before the SAS team went in, Tom claims that a highly sensitive message was passed from Thatcher.

The Guardian

I can recall the precise moment when this message was passed, like a torch, from her soul to mine.

Huffington Post

On Friday, that message was passed around like a dark omen.

The New York Times

The message was passed to Switzerland, which represents US interests in Iran.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a message was passed", ensure the context clearly indicates who sent the message and who received it. Clarity enhances the sentence's impact.

Common error

Avoid using "a message was passed" without specifying the sender or receiver if it leads to ambiguity. Clearly identify both parties to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a message was passed" functions as a passive construction, indicating that information was conveyed without explicitly stating the actor. It emphasizes the message itself rather than the sender, which is consistent with Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a message was passed" is a grammatically correct passive construction used to indicate that information has been transmitted. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples from various reputable sources, primarily News & Media and Science. While the phrase is versatile, clarity is crucial; ensure the context makes clear who sent and received the message. For more direct communication, consider using active voice alternatives. Though "a message was passed" appears less frequently, mastering its proper usage enhances writing precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

information was conveyed

Replaces "message" with "information" and "passed" with "conveyed", focusing on the content rather than the act of passing.

communication was transmitted

Substitutes "message" with "communication" and "passed" with "transmitted", emphasizing the process of transferring information.

a word was sent

Uses a more concise and less formal phrasing to indicate the delivery of a message.

an announcement was made

Focuses on the public declaration of a message, changing the context slightly.

details were communicated

Highlights the specific content of the message, replacing "message" with "details" and using "communicated" for "passed".

a notification was issued

Implies a formal or official communication, suitable for announcements or warnings.

a report was delivered

Specifically refers to the transmission of a formal report or document.

intelligence was relayed

Suggests the passing of sensitive or secret information, often in a military or espionage context.

instructions were given

Focuses on the conveyance of commands or directions, narrowing the scope of the message.

the news was broken

Specifically relates to the sharing of significant or impactful news.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "a message was passed" to be more direct?

You can use active voice constructions like "someone conveyed a message" or "they transmitted the information". This makes the sentence more direct and specifies the actor.

What are some formal alternatives to "a message was passed"?

Formal alternatives include "information was conveyed", "communication was transmitted", or "a notification was issued" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how a message was conveyed?

Active voice (e.g., "the manager sent a message") is generally clearer and more direct. Passive voice (e.g., "a message was passed") can be useful when the actor is unknown or unimportant, but overuse can lead to vagueness.

What's the difference between "a message was passed" and "a message was delivered"?

The phrases are nearly synonymous. "A message was delivered" might imply a more formal or official communication, but in most contexts, they are interchangeable with "a message was passed".