deciding to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deciding to pass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the choice of not participating in something, such as an event or opportunity. Example: "After much consideration, I am deciding to pass on the invitation to the party this weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

That is different from deciding to pass for white.

The New York Times

But Bale now follows Leonardo DiCaprio in deciding to pass on the movie, which is being directed by Danny Boyle.

The Guardian - Film

With Rachel Alexandra's camp deciding to pass on another chance to face the males, a top female could become the filly's main competition.

The New York Times - Sports

It secured a coveted prize of "organic sharing" – online users deciding to pass on campaign material to their friends and family voluntarily.

The Guardian

Deciding to pass himself off as an Englishman and enlist in the Canadian RAF, he changed the spelling of his name to Faulkner and invented a mythical British family for himself, using a forged letter of reference from one Reverend Edward TwimbEdwardhorndykEdward

The Guardian - Books

He never worked with Fellini again, deciding to pass La Dolce Vita to another pro ducer ("that was a mistake of me listening to my people and not Fellini"), but surfed on the wave that made Italy into Hollywood on the Tiber.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

I decided to pass.

The New York Times

The Smithsonian decides to pass.

The New York Times - Books

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required in your writing; alternatives like "opting to decline" may be more appropriate in professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "deciding to pass" when you simply mean "choosing to share" information. "Pass" in this context implies declining or skipping, not transmitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deciding to pass" functions as a verbal phrase expressing the act of making a choice not to participate in something, or to present oneself differently. Ludwig shows examples of its use in both literal and figurative contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sports

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "deciding to pass" is a verbal phrase that describes a conscious decision to forgo an opportunity or to misrepresent one's identity. While grammatically correct and validated by Ludwig, its usage is relatively rare, as shown by Ludwig. The phrase can appear in a variety of sources, including News & Media, Sports and Science articles and its formality is usually neutral. It's crucial to consider context and potential implications, particularly in discussions of race, where sensitivity is paramount. Alternatives such as "choosing to skip" or "opting to decline" may be more appropriate in some situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking the decision to pass

Adds emphasis by specifying "taking the decision", keeping the original "pass".

choosing to skip

Replaces "deciding" with "choosing" and "pass" with "skip", focusing on the act of omitting something.

agreeing to skip

Uses "agreeing" suggesting prior deliberation or consultation and replaces "pass" with "skip".

opting to decline

Uses "opting" instead of "deciding" and replaces "pass" with the more formal "decline".

electing to forego

Substitutes "deciding" with "electing" and "pass" with "forego", implying a deliberate choice to abstain.

settling on forgoing

Implies a compromise or final decision with "settling on" and uses the more formal "forgoing".

resolving to omit

Emphasizes the firmness of the decision by using "resolving" and replaces "pass" with "omit".

determining to give a miss

More colloquial way of expressing the idea using "give a miss" to replace the word "pass".

making the choice to abstain

Phrases it as "making the choice", highlighting the decision-making process with a formal tone, and uses "abstain" to mean not participating.

concluding to forgo

Highlights the completion of a thought process with "concluding" and replaces "pass" with "forgo".

FAQs

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

You can use "deciding to pass" to indicate a choice not to participate in something, such as, "After careful consideration, I am "deciding to pass" on this opportunity."

What does "deciding to pass" mean in the context of race?

In the context of race, "deciding to pass" refers to a person of one race choosing to present themselves as a member of another, typically to gain social or economic advantages. This usage is rooted in historical racial dynamics and is sensitive.

What are some alternatives to "deciding to pass"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "choosing to skip", "opting to decline", or "electing to forego".

Is "deciding to pass" formal or informal?

The phrase "deciding to pass" is generally considered neutral. However, the specific context will dictate whether a more formal alternative like "opting to decline" or a more informal one is appropriate.