a resolution was passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a resolution was passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where a formal decision or agreement has been made, often in meetings or legislative settings. Example: "During the annual meeting, a resolution was passed to increase the budget for community projects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

A resolution was passed to suspend Mr Rahman, unseen and unheard.

Independent

It was launched after a resolution was passed at the 2012 AGM, with a landslide 96% majority.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

At a conference of the (black) Writers' Association of South Africa (Wasa), a resolution was passed accusing him of exploiting Biko's name and being an "unscrupulous opportunist".

The Guardian

Nonetheless, at the medical society's annual meeting last month, a resolution was passed forbidding members of the MIIX board from being trustees of the Medical Society of New Jersey.

The New York Times

A resolution was passed for the adoption of a plan that would allow the next Labour Government to become an equity shareholder in some 500 private-enterprise companies, and for Britain to continue manufacturing its own H-Bomb.

The New Yorker

As a consequence of intensive lobbying for international recognition by indigenous women and their supporters, a resolution was passed in 2005 (pdf) at the Commission on the Status of Women, highlighting their rights and needs, which was considered "a tremendous achievement for indigenous women".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

As we know, the invasion went ahead the following month without such a resolution being passed.

The Guardian - Opinion

Representative Martin Frost of Texas, who briefly challenged Ms. Pelosi for the leader's job last year, sent her a letter while the negotiating was still under way, urging that a resolution be passed promptly.

The New York Times

Mr. Khraishi, the Palestinian ambassador, said that if a resolution were passed now insisting that the General Assembly or the Security Council deal with the matter, as the report itself recommends, it would most likely face an American veto.

The New York Times

But even this would be hard enough, if only because of Russian insistence that a NATO ceasefire should precede any UN Security Council resolution.Even if such a resolution were passed, however, the outstanding sticking-points would probably remain: whether Mr Milosevic should be allowed to keep soldiers on Kosovo's borders and, even trickier, who should make up the peacekeeping force.

The Economist

A spokesman for Mr Annan has said that a small group of observers is ready to leave for Syria as soon as a resolution is passed.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about formal decisions, use "a resolution was passed" to clearly indicate that a formal vote or agreement has taken place. This phrase is suitable for contexts such as meetings, legislative bodies, and organizational proceedings.

Common error

Avoid using "resolve" when you mean "resolution". "Resolve" refers to determination or a solution, while "resolution" refers to a formal decision or agreement. For example, don't say "The issue was passed" instead of "A resolution was passed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a resolution was passed" functions as a statement confirming that a formal decision or agreement has been officially approved. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from political decisions to organizational policies. This confirms the expression is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a resolution was passed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate the formal approval of a decision. Ludwig confirms its broad usage across diverse sources, including news media, wikis, and scientific publications. While primarily neutral to formal in register, it is crucial to differentiate "resolution" from "resolve" to avoid word confusion. The examples from Ludwig highlight its effective use in communicating the outcomes of formal deliberations and voting processes, thus emphasizing its importance in professional and academic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a motion was approved

Substitutes "resolution" with "motion", often used in formal meeting contexts, and replaces "passed" with "approved".

a proposal was adopted

Uses "proposal" instead of "resolution", emphasizing the acceptance of a suggested plan, and "adopted" instead of "passed".

a decision was made

Replaces "resolution" with a more general term, focusing on the act of deciding.

the measure was enacted

Replaces "resolution" with "measure", often used in legislative contexts, and uses "enacted" to emphasize the implementation of the decision.

an agreement was reached

Highlights the attainment of consensus or accord, shifting focus from a formal vote to mutual understanding.

the legislation was approved

Uses "legislation" to emphasize the creation of new law and approved instead of passed

the council voted in favor

Specifies the voting body and indicates a positive outcome, shifting focus to the act of voting.

the rule was established

Emphasizes the creation or confirmation of a formal guideline

the policy was implemented

Highlights the putting of a new procedure in action

it was formally decided

More general phrase emphasizing the formality of a decision

FAQs

How can I use "a resolution was passed" in a sentence?

Use "a resolution was passed" to indicate that a formal decision or agreement has been officially approved. For example, "After a lengthy debate, "a resolution was passed" to adopt the new policy".

What's a good alternative to "a resolution was passed"?

Alternatives include "a motion was approved" or "a decision was made", depending on the specific context. These phrases convey the same general meaning of a formal decision being reached.

Is it correct to say "a resolution has been passed"?

Yes, "a resolution has been passed" is grammatically correct. It uses the present perfect tense, indicating that the resolution was passed at some point in the past and is relevant to the present situation. It is functionally equivalent to ""a resolution was passed"".

What's the difference between "a resolution was passed" and "a law was passed"?

"A resolution was passed" typically refers to a decision made by a group or organization, while "a law was passed" refers specifically to the enactment of legislation by a governing body. A resolution is generally less formal and has a narrower scope than a law.