are passed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are passed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is overlooked or not chosen for a particular opportunity or recognition. Example: "Despite her qualifications, she felt that her contributions were often passed over during team meetings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Nowadays, all these drawings are passed over, in order to create an overall machine documentation.

Procedia Manufacturing

But in the process, honest officials are passed over or punished.

The New York Times

Decades of health are passed over as beside the point; there is nothing like illness to hone the consciousness.

The New Yorker

The Rosenbergs are passed over in this book, and so, for the most part, is Senator Joseph McCarthy.

The New York Times - Books

Equally qualified women with similar leadership skills are passed over for promotions only because of their gender.

The Guardian

But the issues raised about insecurity and conformism are passed over, along with the uncomfortable assumptions about sexuality that often accompany the idea of masculinity.

The New York Times

That is bad for workers who are passed over, but it is also bad for employers because they might be wasting the talents of potentially great managers.

The New York Times

The more raucous figurative watercolors of Charles Demuth in the collection are passed over for two of his generic renderings of vegetables.

The New York Times - Arts

Many of those who don't make it — who see others accepted into the bedroom while they are passed over — become bitter.

The New Yorker

But those who protest that they are passed over by applicants of color who sometimes have lesser academic credentials rarely attack legacy, athlete and wealth affirmative action.

The New York Times

Decades of Will's waking life are passed over without comment; it is only in his dreams that his search for truth can be conducted.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are passed over", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is doing the passing over and why the subject is being overlooked. For instance, "Qualified candidates are passed over due to unconscious bias" clarifies the agent and the reason.

Common error

Avoid using "are passed over" when the active voice would be more direct and impactful. For example, instead of "The opportunity was passed over by the team", consider "The team rejected the opportunity" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are passed over" functions as a passive verb phrase. It indicates that a subject is being overlooked or skipped by an implied agent. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing frequent usage in contexts where entities or individuals do not receive the expected attention or consideration.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

13%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are passed over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb construction that indicates being overlooked or skipped. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears predominantly in news and media, science, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the agent and reasons for being overlooked. While alternatives such as "are overlooked" or "are disregarded" exist, the choice depends on the intended nuance. Avoid overusing the passive voice for more direct and impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are overlooked

Focuses on being ignored or not noticed.

are skipped

Emphasizes the act of bypassing or omitting something.

are omitted

Highlights the act of leaving something out intentionally or unintentionally.

are disregarded

Stresses that something is not taken into consideration or treated as important.

are bypassed

Implies going around or avoiding something.

are left out

Focuses on exclusion from a group or selection.

are not chosen

Emphasizes the lack of selection for a specific purpose.

are superseded

Suggests being replaced or made obsolete by something else.

are ignored

Focuses on the act of paying no attention to something or someone.

are unheeded

Indicates that advice or warnings are not listened to or followed.

FAQs

How can I use "are passed over" in a sentence?

You can use "are passed over" to indicate that something or someone is overlooked or not chosen for a particular opportunity. For example, "Many qualified applicants "are passed over" due to budget constraints".

What are some alternatives to "are passed over"?

Some alternatives to "are passed over" include "are overlooked", "are skipped", or "are disregarded", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "are passed over" or "were passed over"?

Both "are passed over" and "were passed over" are grammatically correct, but they indicate different tenses. Use "are passed over" for present or general statements, and "were passed over" for past events. For example, "Good ideas often "are passed over" in favor of familiar ones" (present), versus "His suggestions "were passed over" at the meeting" (past).

What's the difference between "are passed over" and "are ignored"?

While both imply a lack of attention, "are passed over" suggests being skipped or overlooked, possibly without intention. "Are ignored", on the other hand, implies a deliberate act of disregarding something. For example, "Valid concerns might "are passed over" due to time constraints", but "Warnings about the risks "are ignored" by those in power".