agree to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "agree to pass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where individuals or groups consent to allow something to proceed or be accepted without objection. Example: "After much discussion, we all decided to agree to pass the proposal to the next stage of review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Will enough agree to pass a bill?

The New York Times

On or before September 30, they'll almost certainly agree to pass a spending bill that funds health-care reform.

The New Yorker

And when they do agree to pass the book along to children, these too seem to be won over by the stories' timeless charm.

The Economist

The few times he does agree to pass the ball back it feels like a damp squib – he isn't nimble at 74.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The two men must agree to pass legislation, in exactly the same form, for it to get to the governor for signing.

The New York Times

They agree to pass a portion of these rebates, as well as other fees paid by the drug manufacturers, along to their customers.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

But they, too, agreed to pass the issue to the military planners.

The New York Times

Mr. Medvedev, then a top aide to President Vladimir V. Putin, agreed to pass along his request.

The New York Times

In exchange, the carriers agreed to pass the savings along to customers as rate cuts.

The New York Times

When Simon agreed to pass a note to Berman, Gene wrote asking to meet, to "bring some closure to our relationship".

The New Yorker

Brazil is close to signing an arms deal with France, which has agreed to pass on jet-fighter technology.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "agree to pass" when referring to a formal agreement or consensus to approve or enact something, especially in legislative or procedural contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "agree to pass" when the context implies mere tolerance or acceptance without active support; alternatives like "allow to proceed" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "agree to pass" is to express consent or agreement to allow something, typically a proposal, law, or decision, to proceed or be enacted. As Ludwig AI suggests, it indicates a formal acceptance and progression.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "agree to pass" is a phrase used to express consent or endorsement for something to proceed, particularly in formal contexts like legislative or procedural settings. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While versatile, it’s important to ensure the context aligns with active support rather than mere tolerance. Alternative phrases such as "consent to approve" or "undertake to ratify" can provide a more formal tone, while phrases like "allow to proceed" might be suitable when expressing passive acceptance. The phrase is commonly found in news and media sources, reflecting its relevance in reporting on decisions and agreements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consent to approve

Replaces "pass" with "approve", focusing on formal acceptance.

concur to enact

Uses "enact" instead of "pass", highlighting the implementation aspect.

undertake to ratify

Emphasizes a commitment to formally approve.

pledge to adopt

Stresses a firm promise to accept and implement.

assent to validate

Focuses on confirming the legitimacy of something.

vow to authorize

Highlights a solemn commitment to grant authority.

promise to legislate

Specifically refers to the creation of laws.

decide to sanction

Implies an official endorsement or approval.

commit to endorse

Focuses on publicly supporting or recommending.

concede to approve

Suggests reluctantly giving consent to approve.

FAQs

How can I use "agree to pass" in a sentence?

The phrase "agree to pass" is often used when discussing legislation, proposals, or motions. For example, "The committee members "agree to pass" the new regulations after a lengthy debate."

What's a more formal way to say "agree to pass"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "consent to approve" or "undertake to ratify", which convey a stronger sense of official endorsement.

Is there a difference between "agree to pass" and "agree to approve"?

While similar, "agree to pass" often implies moving something forward in a procedural sense, like a bill in Congress. "Agree to approve" can be used more broadly for any kind of endorsement. "The board "agree to approve" the budget" is acceptable, but more situations than "agree to pass".

When is it incorrect to use "agree to pass"?

It's generally incorrect to use "agree to pass" when you mean simply to tolerate or allow something without actively supporting it. In such cases, phrases like "allow to proceed" or "permit to continue" may be more appropriate.