a motion was passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a motion was passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in formal contexts, such as meetings or legislative sessions, to indicate that a proposal or decision has been approved. Example: "During the meeting, a motion was passed to allocate additional funds for the community project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A motion was passed denouncing it as "poorly written, unscientific, irresponsible and misleading".

The New York Times

After discussion, a motion was passed granting department voting privileges to an out-of-department Cornell faculty member.

Cornell University

Last week a motion was passed at the annual Trades Union Congress, where I spoke, opposing the act.

The Guardian - Opinion

The referendum comes as a response to the situation in Palestine and was held after a motion was passed at the SOAS student union's general meeting.

Independent

With their help, a motion was passed calling on the mayor to commission an assessment of the implications of the extended Right to Buy for housing associations.

The Guardian

There's no specific national representation within the NUS either, though a motion was passed at its most recent conference calling for a review of postgraduate representation.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

January: A motion is passed by the Iraqi parliament allowing former officials from Saddam's Ba'ath party to return to public life.

The Guardian

In its safe space policy, the Edinburgh University Students Associationn explains what hand gestures are and are not offensive, and says: "Gestures indicating agreement are permissible, if these gestures are generally understood and not used in an intimidating manner... Applause is acceptable when a motion is passed only, not if a motion fails to pass.

Independent

In the end, a joint motion was passed.

The Economist

In 1997, a similar motion was passed by the Council, only to be defeated at the polls in the election required to amend the charter.

The New York Times

A similar motion was passed in Melbourne, which also noted that employees were "dismayed that the chairman of our own board is exerting political pressure behind closed doors".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When reporting on formal proceedings, use “a motion was passed” to clearly and concisely indicate that a proposal has been approved through a vote or agreement.

Common error

Avoid using "a motion was passed" in informal contexts where a simple agreement or suggestion is made without a formal vote. Use more appropriate phrases like "the suggestion was accepted" or "the idea was agreed upon" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a motion was passed" serves as a declarative statement, confirming that a formal proposal has been approved. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It functions as a reportive statement in formal settings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a motion was passed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate the successful approval of a proposal in formal settings. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It's common in news reporting, academic writing, and official documentation, conveying that a decision has been formally ratified. While alternatives like "the resolution was adopted" or "the proposal was approved" exist, the original phrase remains a clear and direct way to communicate the outcome of a vote or agreement. When using this phrase, ensure it fits the formal context and accurately reflects the decision-making process involved.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the resolution was adopted

Replaces 'motion' with 'resolution' and 'passed' with 'adopted', both indicating formal approval.

the proposal was approved

Substitutes 'motion' with 'proposal', focusing on the agreement aspect.

the decision was carried

Uses 'decision' instead of 'motion' and 'carried' instead of 'passed', highlighting the successful outcome of a vote.

the measure was enacted

Replaces 'motion' with 'measure' and 'passed' with 'enacted', often used in legislative contexts.

the recommendation was accepted

Focuses on the acceptance of a 'recommendation', implying endorsement of a suggestion.

the proposition was ratified

Employs 'proposition' instead of 'motion' and 'ratified' instead of 'passed', denoting formal validation.

the vote was affirmative

Changes the structure to emphasize the positive result of the 'vote'.

the suggestion was endorsed

Uses 'suggestion' in place of 'motion' and 'endorsed' instead of 'passed', indicating support and approval.

the draft was sanctioned

Substitutes 'motion' with 'draft' and 'passed' with 'sanctioned', implying official permission.

the plan was authorized

Replaces 'motion' with 'plan' and 'passed' with 'authorized', focusing on granting official approval.

FAQs

What does "a motion was passed" mean?

The phrase "a motion was passed" means that a formal proposal or suggestion was approved, typically through a vote in a meeting, assembly, or other formal setting.

What can I say instead of "a motion was passed"?

You can use alternatives like "the resolution was adopted", "the proposal was approved", or "the decision was carried" depending on the specific context.

In what contexts is it appropriate to use "a motion was passed"?

It's appropriate to use "a motion was passed" in formal settings such as official meetings, legislative sessions, or academic discussions where a formal decision-making process is involved.

Is "a motion was passed" the same as "a vote was passed"?

While both imply a successful decision, "a vote was passed" is less specific. "A motion was passed" indicates that a specific proposal was voted on and approved, whereas "a vote was passed" could refer to any kind of vote on any matter.