a passage of text

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passage of text" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a specific excerpt or section from a larger written work, such as a book, article, or document. Example: "In the article, the author highlights a passage of text that illustrates the main argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Also of use is the "screenshort", AKA a screenshot of a passage of text, particularly useful for when one wants to quote a large section of an article.

The Guardian - Tech

Different students answered different question bundles, each of which were based on a passage of text describing a real-life situation.

The Guardian

Beforehand, students are given a passage of text, which may be part of a judgment, with any legal jargon removed, and asked to discuss it.

The Guardian

It then linked up just over 100 testers and asked them to read a passage of text on a computer screen, before interrupting the participants with one-minute messages – like phone calls.

The Guardian

In the notation of early Ethiopian church music a single letter or a pair of letters (short for a passage of text) signified a group of notes, even a complete melodic phrase.

Encyclopedia Britannica

After a passage of text by the philosopher Jacques Derrida admonishing the pursuit of happiness ("This will end very badly!"), Superamas concludes the evening with disco-era dance in which rabidly joyful women pour everything they have into prurient high kicks and turns.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

They did not mimic a passage of a text, as was the convention, but complemented it with interpretation.

The New York Times - Arts

Regarding the second grade students, the reading test consists of a passage of narrative text, followed by eighteen items (17 multiple-choice questions and 1 open-ended short-term question), and of two exercises concerning lexical and semantic knowledge (1 complex multiple-choice item and 1 matching task).

Large-scale Assessments in Education

I welled up with the feeling that lifelong agents monitoring rogue states have when, after years of reading code, they are suddenly struck by the Aha! phenomenon, when a particular something comes across the teletype, namely a discovery of a secret passage of text, among legions of verbosity, that gives the game away.

Forbes

Each sat at a well-lit desk and copied out a standard passage of text on to an unlined pad of paper.

The Guardian

The researchers measured the average voice pitch of 113 heterosexual female undergraduates as they spoke vowel sounds, read a standard sentence and a standard passage of text.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When analyzing literature, always cite the specific "a passage of text" you're referencing to provide concrete evidence for your interpretation.

Common error

Avoid making broad claims without referencing "a passage of text" to support your analysis. Always ground your arguments in specific textual details.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passage of text" functions as a noun phrase. According to Ludwig AI, it denotes a segment or portion of written material. Its primary grammatical function is to serve as the subject, object, or complement within a sentence, referring to a specific part of a written work for analysis, discussion, or quotation.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

28%

Academia

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passage of text" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase that refers to a specific section of written material. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is common across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. Its function is to identify a particular excerpt for analysis, discussion, or citation. While the register is generally neutral, it is frequently found in formal and academic writings. Related phrases include "a section of writing", "an excerpt from the text", and "a portion of the text", each offering subtle variations in meaning. To effectively use the phrase, ensure that you're grounding your arguments in specific textual details when analyzing literature and always cite your sources correctly.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a section of writing

Replaces "passage" with "section" and "text" with "writing", focusing on the division of a written work.

an excerpt from the text

Uses "excerpt" to emphasize a selected portion and adds "from the", indicating a specific origin.

a portion of the text

Substitutes "passage" with "portion", indicating a part of the whole text.

a segment of the text

Replaces "passage" with "segment", suggesting a distinct part of the text.

a piece of writing

Replaces "passage" with "piece", focusing on a fragment or portion of written material.

a textual excerpt

Combines "textual" as an adjective with "excerpt", emphasizing the selection of text.

a segment of prose

Specifies the type of writing as "prose", highlighting continuous narrative rather than poetry.

a segment of discourse

Uses "discourse" to refer to a unit of connected speech or writing.

a selection of the text

Replaces "passage" with "selection", indicating something chosen or extracted.

a part of the writing

Replaces passage of text with a more generic part of writing.

FAQs

How can I effectively analyze "a passage of text"?

To effectively analyze "a passage of text", focus on key elements such as theme, tone, and style. Look for patterns, repetitions, and literary devices to deepen your understanding.

What is the difference between "a passage of text" and "an excerpt"?

"A passage of text" is a general term for a section of writing, while "an excerpt" specifically refers to a selected portion taken from a larger work, often used to illustrate a point.

What are some strategies for close reading of "a passage of text"?

Strategies for close reading of "a passage of text" include annotating the text, identifying key words and phrases, and examining the author's use of language and structure.

How do I cite "a passage of text" correctly in academic writing?

To cite "a passage of text" correctly, provide the author's name, the title of the work, and the page number or location of the passage in your citation. Use quotation marks for direct quotes and follow the appropriate citation style (MLA, APA, etc.).