decided to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

"decided to pass" is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: After careful consideration, they decided to pass on the investment opportunity.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Business

Travel

Arts

Politics

Technology

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I decided to pass.

The New York Times

He decided to pass the place by.

The New York Times

So far he has decided to pass.

The New York Times - Sports

I decided to pass it up.

The New York Times - Tech

But he decided to pass the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

Meyers (East) decided to pass with her hand.

The New York Times

So he decided to pass the time studying theater.

The New York Times

Mom decided to pass on some maternal wisdom.

The New York Times

To "avoid the humiliation," Ms. Addario decided to pass through the X-ray machine.

The New York Times

Most of the big European manufacturers have had a look and decided to pass.

The Economist

But Fox, which also got a look, decided to pass as well.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decided to pass" to clearly convey a deliberate choice to not pursue an option or opportunity. It implies a considered decision based on available information.

Common error

Avoid using "decided to pass" when the choice was not deliberate or when external factors forced the decision. For example, it's incorrect to say "The company decided to pass due to bankruptcy," because bankruptcy implies a lack of choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decided to pass" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating a conscious choice to forgo an option or opportunity. Ludwig AI analysis confirms its correct usage in various contexts. This decision may stem from evaluation of risks, benefits, or alignment with goals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Sports

11%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Travel

4%

Arts

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decided to pass" is a common and grammatically correct verb phrase used to express a deliberate choice to forgo an opportunity or decline an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is employed across various contexts, including News & Media, Sports, and Business, maintaining a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Related phrases like "opted to skip" or "chose to decline" offer similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis. When using this phrase, ensure the decision was truly deliberate and avoid applying it in scenarios dictated by external constraints. While "decided to pass" is generally safe to use, being mindful of these nuances enhances clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decided against it

A more concise and general way of expressing the decision to not proceed.

passed up the opportunity

Specifies that something advantageous was not taken.

chose to decline

Focuses on the act of refusing or rejecting something.

opted to skip

Implies a deliberate choice to leave something out or not participate.

declined to participate

Highlights the refusal to take part in something.

elected to forgo

Highlights the voluntary nature of giving up something.

resolved to abstain

Emphasizes a firm decision to refrain from something, often with a moral or ethical implication.

determined to reject

Focuses on a firm decision to not accept something.

chose not to pursue

Highlights the decision to discontinue efforts towards a goal.

refrained from taking

Emphasizes the act of holding back from doing something.

FAQs

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

You can use "decided to pass" to express that someone or something made a conscious decision to forgo an opportunity or decline an action. For instance, "After reviewing the proposal, the board "decided to pass" on the merger."

What are some alternatives to "decided to pass"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "opted to skip", "chose to decline", or "declined to participate". These options convey a similar meaning but may emphasize different aspects of the decision.

Is it correct to say "decided to pass on"?

Yes, "decided to pass on" is a common and correct variation. It emphasizes the act of transferring or forgoing something to someone else or another opportunity. Example: "They "decided to pass on" the inheritance."

What is the difference between "decided to pass" and "declined"?

"Decided to pass" usually implies a deliberate choice not to pursue a particular option or opportunity, often after some consideration. "Declined" is a more general term that simply means to refuse or reject something, without necessarily implying the same level of deliberation. For example, "She "decided to pass" on the job offer after learning about the long hours" suggests careful consideration, whereas "She "declined" the job offer" is a simple rejection.