a steady passage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a steady passage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smooth and uninterrupted journey or transition, often in a metaphorical sense. Example: "The team experienced a steady passage through the project, meeting all deadlines without any major setbacks."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A visitor a few years ago mentioned the pleasant view from the living-room windows a modest church on the corner, a line of vintage brownstones, the Charles River not far off but Steig could never forget his old second-floor apartment, off Sixth Avenue in the Village, where he had looked down at a steady passage of pedestrians and dogs and noisy traffic.

The New Yorker

A visitor a few years ago mentioned the pleasant view from the living-room windows — a modest church on the corner, a line of vintage brownstones, the Charles River not far off — but Steig could never forget his old second-floor apartment, off Sixth Avenue in the Village, where he had looked down at a steady passage of pedestrians and dogs and noisy traffic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

We are all, at heart, gradualists, our expectations set by the steady passage of time.

The Guardian - Books

The steady passage of film-makers from Ireland to the US continues.

The Guardian - Film

Nothing is more amazing than the steady passage from endurance to resistance that he records here.

The New Yorker

The defendants "thought they had a plan that was foolproof and fail-safe — safe passage for a steady stream of cocaine," a prosecutor, Christopher L. LaVigne, told the jury last week.

The New York Times

Riot police remained, but did little to slow the passage of a steady flow of migrants on Sunday, many of them refugees from the Syrian war and other conflicts in the Middle East, a Reuters reporter at the scene said.

The Guardian

The range of behaviors include direct passage to a steady state equilibrium, damped oscillations to steady state and a variety of oscillatory behaviors with periods ranging from minutes to many hours.

Bulletin of Mathematical Biology

Revert castration-resistant prostate cancer (revCRPC): this cell line represents the pre-CRPC phenotype and was subcultured with 1 nmol/L testosterone (Sigma, St . Louis MO, USA) over at least 20 passages resulting in a steady androgen-sensitive subtype for experiments within the subsequent 10 passages [24].

EJNMMI Research

Even in the presence of sustained repression of mesenchymal gene expression by A-83-01 A-83-01 A-83-01ady decrease in a subsethereRPE-specisic genes and an eventual losteadyRPE phenotype with extensive passage.

Genome Medicine

Year in and year out, these passages accommodate a steady stream of visitors headed elsewhere: for the Medieval Galleries, the American Wing, the Arms and Armor Galleries, the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Galleries and beyond.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a steady passage", consider the specific context. It often implies a sense of uninterrupted progress or movement, whether literal or metaphorical. Ensure that the surrounding text supports this sense of continuity.

Common error

Avoid using "a steady passage" when the situation involves abrupt changes or interruptions. This phrase inherently suggests a lack of significant disruptions, so it's unsuitable for describing volatile or inconsistent processes.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a steady passage" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It describes a consistent and uninterrupted movement or progression, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a steady passage" is a noun phrase that describes a consistent and uninterrupted movement or progression. As Ludwig indicates, it's often used in both news and scientific contexts to convey a sense of smooth continuity. While grammatically correct, consider its nuanced meaning and choose it when you intend to convey a lack of significant disruptions. Remember, Ludwig confirms its usability but also emphasizes the importance of appropriate context to maintain clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a constant flow

This alternative emphasizes the continuous and uninterrupted nature of the movement or progress.

a continuous stream

Similar to "a constant flow", it highlights the ongoing and unbroken aspect of the passage.

a smooth transition

Focuses on the ease and lack of disruption during the change or movement.

an even progression

Highlights the consistent and uniform nature of the advancement or development.

a regular rhythm

This alternative suggests a predictable and recurring pattern of movement or progress.

a consistent advance

Emphasizes the continuous and reliable forward movement.

a stable progression

This focuses on the secure and unchanging nature of the advancement.

an unceasing movement

This alternative stresses the relentless and continuous character of the motion.

a measured pace

Highlights the controlled and deliberate speed of the passage.

a gradual procession

Emphasizes the slow and steady nature of the movement or progression.

FAQs

How can I use "a steady passage" in a sentence?

You can use "a steady passage" to describe uninterrupted progress, as in, "The project experienced "a steady passage" through its development phase."

What phrases are similar to "a steady passage"?

Similar phrases include "a constant flow", "a smooth transition", or "an even progression", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a steady passage" to describe a turbulent event?

No, "a steady passage" implies a lack of significant disruptions. It is not suitable for describing turbulent or inconsistent processes. Consider alternatives like "a difficult period" or "a challenging phase".

What's the difference between "a steady passage" and "a rapid advance"?

"A steady passage" suggests consistent and uninterrupted progress, while "a rapid advance" indicates fast and accelerated movement. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize continuity or speed.