being passed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being passed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone is overlooked or not chosen for a position, opportunity, or recognition. Example: "After years of hard work, she felt disheartened about being passed over for the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Woodson took the Knicks job after being passed over for several head coaching positions.

The New York Times

He said he felt a little bit burned about being passed over by three teams.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, being passed over by the 49ers was a glaringly public slight.

The New York Times - Sports

Adding to the stress was disappointment about being passed over for a promotion.

The New York Times

Not changing put him at risk of being passed over for work.

The New York Times

We are tired of being passed over," they wrote in a statement beforehand.

The Washington Post

For Mr. Sewell, the London art critic, Sir Timothy's being passed over was no accident.

The New York Times - Arts

Being passed over for some of the newer Lagerfeld muses, like his son, Mr. Kroenig said he was not jealous.

The New York Times

He applied anyway and, after being passed over, filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission alleging age discrimination.

The Washington Post

"With high-tech investments in vogue," he said, "a lot of great, solid companies are being passed over".

The New York Times

Being passed over by Phillips evoked deep resentment in Hartman; it reopened a wound that had never healed.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "being passed over", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject was not selected for. For example, "being passed over for the promotion" is clearer than simply "being passed over".

Common error

Avoid using "being passed over" when an active voice construction is more appropriate. For instance, instead of saying "The opportunity was being passed over by many", it's better to say "Many overlooked the opportunity."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being passed over" functions as a passive verb phrase, typically used to describe a situation where a person or thing is overlooked or not selected for something, such as a job, promotion, or opportunity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being passed over" is a common and grammatically correct passive verb phrase used to express the experience of being overlooked or not selected for an opportunity. As verified by Ludwig AI, its usage is sound and versatile across various contexts. It is most frequently found in News & Media and Formal & Business settings. When using this phrase, it's important to clearly specify what the subject was not selected for. Alternatives include "being overlooked", "being superseded", and "being skipped over", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being overlooked

Focuses on the act of not being noticed or considered.

not being selected

Directly states the act of not being chosen.

being skipped over

Highlights the act of intentionally omitting or bypassing someone.

being superseded

Emphasizes being replaced by something or someone else.

being left out

Focuses on the feeling of exclusion from a group or opportunity.

being disregarded

Stresses the lack of importance or attention given to someone.

being excluded

Emphasizes the act of preventing someone from participating or being involved.

being rejected

Highlights the act of being turned down or refused.

being denied

Focuses on the withholding of something requested or desired.

missing out on

Focuses on the lost opportunity or benefit.

FAQs

How to use "being passed over" in a sentence?

Use "being passed over" to describe a situation where someone or something is overlooked or not chosen. For example: "She felt disappointed after "being passed over" for the leadership role."

What are some alternatives to "being passed over"?

Alternatives include "being overlooked", "being superseded", "being skipped over", or "being left out", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "passed over" or "being passed over"?

The choice depends on the sentence structure. "Passed over" is used when it acts as an adjective (e.g., "a passed-over candidate"), while "being passed over" is used in passive constructions (e.g., "He resented being passed over").

What does it mean when someone says they are "being passed over" for a promotion?

It means they were not selected for a promotion they expected or desired. This suggests that other candidates were chosen instead of them.