a passing report

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing report" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a brief or informal report that provides a quick overview or update on a situation or topic. Example: "The manager provided a passing report on the project's progress during the meeting, highlighting key milestones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

There have been a few passing reports about the fact that McCain was born in the Panama Canal Zone to U.S. citizen parents.

Huffington Post

A passing news report features a middle-aged white man bemoaning the fear he feels walking down his own street, while a young woman talks about her newfound passion for midnight runs.

Huffington Post

An applicant who passes a qualifying salesperson examination will receive a passing score report and an application form for licensure from the testing service.

WikiHow

The arrested inspectors have been accused of conducting multiple emissions tests on cars that they know will pass to generate an extra pass report and sticker for a car that would fail.

The New York Times

A passing vessel reported that, as the storm struck, Shelley's friend Edward Williams―who was drowned with him―tried to reef the sails, but Shelley angrily stopped him.

The Economist

A passing motorist reported finding Mr. Serrentino's body lying next to a car on the highway, just east of the Meadowbrook Parkway, said Frank O'Connor, a police spokesman.

The New York Times

The adequate yearly progress system issues the equivalent of a pass-fail report card for every school each year.

The New York Times

Under the current law, every school is given the equivalent of a pass-fail report card each year, an evaluation that administration officials say fails to differentiate among chaotic schools in chronic failure, schools that are helping low-scoring students improve, and high-performing suburban schools that nonetheless appear to be neglecting some low-scoring students.

The New York Times

The current system issues the equivalent of a pass-fail report card for every school each year, an evaluation that administration officials say fails to differentiate among chaotic schools in chronic failure, schools that are helping low-scoring students improve and high-performing suburban schools that nonetheless appear to be neglecting some low-scoring students.

The New York Times

In all, just 63 per cent of all new recruits this autumn arrived at university with three A-level passes, a report published by the service revealed.

Independent

Standing by his pick-up truck on a rural road, he had been approached by a deputy sheriff who was investigating a passing motorist's report that a man in the truck had been hitting a woman.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing report" when you want to indicate a brief or cursory overview of a topic, suitable for situations where a detailed analysis is not required.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing report" when a thorough, detailed analysis is expected. This phrase implies brevity and lack of exhaustive investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing report" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes a report that is brief or not very detailed, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "a passing report" refers to a brief or cursory account, lacking extensive detail. According to Ludwig AI, it functions as a noun phrase and serves the purpose of providing a quick, high-level overview. While grammatically correct, it's relatively rare. It's register is neutral, making it suitable for various contexts where a detailed analysis is not required. Related phrases include "a brief account" or "a quick summary", offering similar meanings with slight variations. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the intended scope and depth of information; avoid using it when a thorough analysis is expected.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A brief account

Replaces 'passing' with 'brief', emphasizing conciseness.

A quick summary

Substitutes 'report' with 'summary', highlighting the abbreviated nature of the information.

A short overview

Uses 'overview' instead of 'report', suggesting a high-level view.

A cursory assessment

Replaces 'passing' with 'cursory' and 'report' with 'assessment', implying a superficial examination.

An informal update

Highlights the casual nature of the report.

A fleeting mention

Focuses on the brevity and lack of detail in the report.

A concise statement

Emphasizes the directness and lack of extra information.

A superficial review

Replaces report with review and stresses lack of depth.

A light description

Implies the description lacks depth.

A general announcement

Shifts the focus to the broad communication rather than a detailed report.

FAQs

What does "a passing report" mean?

The phrase "a passing report" refers to a brief or cursory account of something, lacking extensive detail. It suggests a quick overview rather than a comprehensive analysis.

How can I use "a passing report" in a sentence?

You can use "a passing report" to describe a brief update or summary, such as: "The manager gave "a passing report" on the project's progress during the meeting."

What can I say instead of "a passing report"?

You can use alternatives like "a brief account", "a quick summary", or "a short overview" depending on the context.

Is "a passing report" formal or informal?

"A passing report" tends to be neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from a more descriptive term depending on the level of depth of the information.