a passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passed" is not correct and usable in written English.
It seems to be an incomplete or incorrect expression, as "passed" typically functions as a verb or an adjective, but not in this context. An example could be: "He is a passed candidate for the position," but it would be better phrased as "He is a candidate who has passed the interview."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

AXELROD--Gerald A, passed away on February 22, 2010 in Palm Beach, FL.

The New York Times

It was ruled a passed ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Molina took third on a passed ball by Ross.

The New York Times

It's a passed hors d'ouevre from a friendly cater-waiter.

The New York Times - Food

A passed ball is a catcher's nightmare in Rickwood Field.

The New York Times - Sports

He walked Headley, who took second on a passed ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

SW-A passed above the typhoon at a 18 LT and b 6 LT.

Earth, Planets and Space

"Originally I had a passed-out sloth and a toad pondering.

The New Yorker

KADAR--Barbara A., passed away Friday February 2 , 2007

The New York Times

STODDART--George A. passed away at his home in Bedford, NY on April 6, 2010.

The New York Times

FUSCO--Dominick A., passed on September 15 , 2007 82 years old.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing successful completion or achievement, replace "a passed" with more descriptive and grammatically correct alternatives such as "a successful" or "a qualified".

Common error

Avoid using "a passed" as a catch-all adjective. It's often vague and grammatically awkward. Instead, clarify what specifically was achieved or demonstrated (e.g., "a successful test" instead of "a passed test").

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passed" functions primarily as a modifier, attempting to describe a noun. However, its grammatical correctness is questionable, as Ludwig AI points out. It's frequently seen in specific contexts like "a passed ball" (baseball) or "a passed pawn" (chess), but its general usage is limited.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Science

33%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "a passed" appears in various contexts, its grammatical correctness is often questionable, according to Ludwig AI. It's most frequently encountered in news, science, and wiki sources, with specific meanings in fields like sports ("a passed ball") and chess ("a passed pawn"). However, for general writing, it's advisable to use more descriptive and grammatically correct alternatives such as "a successful" or "a qualified" to ensure clarity and accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a successful

Emphasizes achievement or positive outcome, replacing "passed" with a direct indicator of success.

a qualified

Indicates that someone or something meets the necessary requirements, replacing the simple act of passing with the possession of qualifications.

an approved

Highlights official endorsement or acceptance, shifting the focus from simply passing to being officially sanctioned.

a completed

Focuses on the action of finishing or finalizing something, instead of the evaluation of having "passed".

a bygone

Implies something that belongs to the past, substituting the idea of passing with being in a former time.

a former

Indicates a previous state or role, replacing passing with a prior condition.

a handed

Emphasizes the act of transferring or giving something. This alternative replace the verb passed with the action of handing.

a weathered

Signifies something that has endured or survived. Replace the passing with having undergone some kind of challenge or hardship.

an elapsed

Highlights the measure of time that has gone by. Instead of passing, here we're focusing on how much time has passed.

a lapsed

Suggests a termination or invalidation. This alternative imply that something has ended instead of passed on by.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a passed"?

The phrase "a passed" is rarely grammatically correct in general English. It might be found in specific technical contexts, such as chess terminology ("a passed pawn") or legacy documents. In most cases, using alternatives like "a successful", "a qualified", or "an approved" is preferable.

What are common alternatives to "a passed" in describing an exam or test?

Instead of "a passed exam", consider using "a successful exam", "a passing exam", or "an exam passed". These options are clearer and more grammatically sound.

Is "a passed ball" the only common exception to the general incorrectness of "a passed"?

No, there is also the phrase "a passed pawn" in chess, that refers to a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from reaching the other side of the board. Otherwise, the phrase "a passed" is generally considered ungrammatical. Using specific and descriptive adjectives is advisable in most contexts.

How can I ensure my writing is grammatically correct when I want to use a phrase like "a passed"?

Whenever you consider using "a passed", ask yourself if there's a more direct and descriptive adjective. For example, instead of "a passed candidate", say "a successful candidate" or "a qualified candidate". Prioritize clarity and grammatical accuracy.