a passing revival

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a passing revival" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a temporary or short-lived resurgence of interest or activity in something. Example: "The band experienced a passing revival in popularity after their classic album was re-released."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

As a septuagenarian, having come into a little money thanks to the fad of his passing revival, he chose to stay in a hotel in San Francisco's Tenderloin district because, he explained, it was on the same side of the street as the whores.

The New York Times - Books

Coach Tom Coughlin referred to that last week, saying that even at this late point in the season, the Giants might devise new ways to stage a pass-rush revival.

The New York Times - Sports

Built in 1889 to replace a wooden chapel burned down by a spark from a passing locomotive, the imposing Gothic Revival building has an admirable clock tower that also serves as a porte-cochère.

The New York Times

Twenty-five yeago Al Pacinocino was walking down Sunset Boulevard with some friends when he passed a revival theater showing "Scarface," the 1932 classic directed by Howard Hawks and written by Ben Hecht about the rise and fall of a Chicago gangster, played by Paul Muni.

The New York Times

Few Paris seasons pass without a revival of Rostand's "Cyrano de Bergerac," the preferred play of French audiences.

The New York Times

Hard-running Ava Seumanafagai sparked the revival when he crashed over after a pass by Luke Brooks which looked suspiciously forward.

The Guardian - Sport

As faint shoots of a Rangers revival appeared, Kris Boyd passed up their one glorious chance of the night.

The Guardian - Sport

That changed in the first half of the nineteenth century, when a religious revival led states to pass new laws, including the first law against obscenity.

The New Yorker

However, the theatrical establishment did nothing to acknowledge Edward Bond reaching 80 in 2014, nor was there a revival to mark the passing last year of five decades since the electrifying premiere of Saved, his tragedy about disaffected youth.

The Guardian

But, given the current creative fertility of house and techno music, indie chancers trying to pass this ropey stuff off as a dance revival is insulting and pointless.

The Guardian - Music

A Deco downtown leads a revival.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a passing revival" when you want to emphasize that the renewed interest or popularity of something is temporary and not expected to last. It's suitable for describing trends, cultural phenomena, or even individual careers.

Common error

Avoid using "a passing revival" if you believe the resurgence is likely to be sustained or if you want to convey a sense of lasting impact. In such cases, opt for terms like "a significant revival" or "a sustained resurgence" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a passing revival" functions as a noun phrase, where "passing" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "revival". It describes a specific type of revival, emphasizing its temporary nature. The Ludwig examples indicate that it is mainly used in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a passing revival" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase that describes a short-lived resurgence or renewed interest in something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and common usage in News & Media. While the phrase is considered neutral in formality, it implies a lack of lasting impact, making it crucial to consider the context before use. Alternatives like "fleeting resurgence" or "temporary upswing" may be more appropriate depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a fleeting resurgence

Emphasizes the brief and temporary nature of the revival.

a temporary resurgence

Synonymous, stressing the non-permanent aspect of the revival.

a momentary comeback

Focuses on the return to popularity or prominence, but only for a short time.

a brief renewal

Highlights the short-term nature of the renewed interest or activity.

a limited revival

Emphasizes that the revival is restricted in scope or duration.

a short-lived renaissance

Implies a cultural or artistic rebirth that doesn't last long.

a transient upswing

Suggests a temporary improvement or increase in something.

a one-time renaissance

Expresses a renaissance that happens only one time.

a quick upturn

Similar to "transient upswing" but focuses on the speed of the improvement and the implication of unsustainability.

a flash in the pan

Idiomatic expression indicating something that initially shows promise but quickly fails or disappears.

FAQs

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

You can use "a passing revival" to describe a short-lived return to popularity or prominence. For example: "The band experienced a passing revival after their song was featured in a popular movie."

What does "a passing revival" imply about the subject's future?

"A passing revival" implies that the renewed interest or success is temporary and not expected to last. It suggests that the subject is unlikely to maintain its current level of popularity or prominence.

What are some alternatives to "a passing revival"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting resurgence", "momentary comeback", or "temporary upswing" depending on the specific context.

Is "a passing revival" considered formal or informal language?

"A passing revival" is generally considered neutral in terms of formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic writing.