a month passes

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a month passes" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the passage of time, often in narratives or descriptions. Example: "As the days turned into weeks, a month passes, and the project still remains unfinished."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wikipedia

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Over a month passes, and preparations for the summer clambake are under way ("June Is Bustin' Out All Over").

Wikipedia

A month passes, two months pass.

The New Yorker

Hardly a month passes without another accusation hurdled at milk as less than an ideal food.

The New York Times - Health

Hardly a month passes without the BBC being engulfed in some kind of controversy.

The Guardian

Not a month passes but it seems another white family arrives from South Africa to begin a new life.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hardly a month passes without claims that another al-Qaeda or Taliban leader has been taken out by drone-launched missiles.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

More than a month passed.

The New Yorker

Almost a month passed before Bokova issued her statement.

The Guardian

The question for June: Could a month pass without a new vampire book?

The New York Times - Books

A month passed, her hearing going from a buzz to a muffle.

The New Yorker

A month passed, and the next letter arrived with a single picture.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a month passes" to indicate a relatively short duration of time elapsing, often in the context of a story or narrative where the exact date isn't as important as the fact that some time has gone by.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "a month passes" is somewhat informal. In business or academic writing, consider using more precise language, such as "one month elapsed" or "a 30-day period concluded".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a month passes" functions as an intransitive expression indicating the passage of time. It describes the process of a month going by, as supported by Ludwig's examples where the phrase is used to mark temporal progression.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a month passes" is a grammatically correct phrase used to indicate the passage of time, as affirmed by Ludwig. While relatively infrequent, its use is appropriate in narrative contexts and general descriptions where precision is not paramount. Ludwig's analysis reveals a neutral to slightly informal register, making it suitable for journalistic and general-interest writing. The phrase is less common in formal or scientific contexts, where more precise language might be preferred. Alternative expressions, such as "a month goes by" or "a month elapses", can offer variations in tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a month goes by

Replaces the verb "passes" with the phrasal verb "goes by", indicating the same concept of time elapsing.

one month goes by

Adds the number "one" for emphasis, maintaining the same meaning.

a month elapses

Uses the more formal verb "elapses" to convey the passing of time, suitable for more academic or professional contexts.

thirty days pass

Specifies the approximate duration of a month using "thirty days", offering a more precise but less common expression.

the month slips away

Emphasizes the subtle and often unnoticed passage of time, with a slightly more poetic tone.

a month concludes

Focuses on the ending of the month rather than the process of passing, implying a completion or transition.

a month finishes

Similar to "a month concludes", this emphasizes the month reaching its end.

a month draws to a close

This idiomatic expression suggests the month is nearing its end, often implying anticipation or finality.

the month is over

States the completion of the month directly, without focusing on the process of time passing.

a month ends

Simply states the conclusion of the month.

FAQs

How can I use "a month passes" in a sentence?

You can use "a month passes" to show the progression of time, such as, "A month passes, and the leaves begin to change color".

What's a more formal way to say "a month passes"?

For a more formal tone, you might say "a month elapses" or "a thirty-day period concludes".

Is it correct to say "a month has passed" instead of "a month passes"?

Yes, "a month has passed" is also correct and emphasizes that the month is complete. "A month passes" tends to describe the event of the month going by as it happens or in a sequence of events.

When is it appropriate to use "a month passes" in writing?

It's suitable in narrative writing, informal communication, or when describing a general passage of time without needing to be precise. For example, "In the story, "a month passes" between the protagonist's decision and their action".