exactly passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exactly passing" is not commonly used in written English and may not convey a clear meaning.
It could be used in contexts where precision or accuracy in passing something is being emphasized, but it may require additional context for clarity. Example: "The exam was challenging, but I managed to achieve exactly passing marks."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

(She didn't have a business card and wasn't exactly passing out her own number).

The New York Times

But judging from Mrs. Whitman's last day in office, she was not exactly passing the baton to Mr. DiFrancesco.

The New York Times

In (b), the connection between the via metallization and the FS RDL on the top wafer surface cannot be seen because the cross section is not exactly passing through the center of the via.

Nature

It wasn't that she was much of a competitor, exactly – passing someone in a race felt more deflating than energising.

BBC

end{cases} (15) According to the theory of second-order linear PDE's, and since (b=n^{1/n}), the characteristic curves associated with the equation ((-y)^{2 n-1)}U_{,XX}- U_{,yy}=0) and exactly passing through the vertexes of the rectangle ((0,1) times -b,0)) are (see times -b,0side of Figure 1) X=frare1}{n}(-y)^{n} quadtext{and}quad 1-X=frac{1}{n}(-y)^{n}.

Boundary Value Problems

This is the issue that says on the cover, about Villaraigosa, "FAILURE". They weren't exactly passing it around City Hall.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

And, in fact, we could exactly pass some set of frequencies and totally eliminate other set of frequencies.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Something tells me that his new version of Mozart's Don Giovanni for English National Opera, which opens tomorrow, will not exactly pass unnoticed.

The Guardian - Music

Nearly 240 books later, the elder Berenstains have if not exactly passed the torch, then lighted a fire under their sons, Leo and Michael, who have contributed to the books as a writer and an illustrator, respectively.

The New York Times

Reading an incantation from the Necronomicon and being hurled back in time makes for a fascinating movie, but doesn't exactly pass the scientific smell test.

Forbes

Chris Rock's Oscar-hosting stint in 2005 didn't exactly pass universal muster.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exactly passing", ensure the context clearly indicates whether you're emphasizing precision, barely meeting a standard, or spatial accuracy. Consider whether alternatives like "just passing" or "perfectly aligned" might be more appropriate for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "exactly passing" in highly formal or academic writing where greater precision or clarity is needed. Opt for more established phrases like "precisely aligned" or "just meeting the criteria" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exactly passing" functions as an adverb-verb combination, modifying the verb "passing" to emphasize the precision or narrow margin of the action. Ludwig suggests it's not the most common construction and highlights the importance of context for understanding.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33.3%

Science

66.6%

Academia

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exactly passing" is an adverb-verb combination that emphasizes the precision or narrow margin by which something is passed. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig indicates that it's relatively rare and suggests considering more common or precise alternatives for clarity. It appears most frequently in scientific and news contexts, suggesting a neutral register. When using "exactly passing", ensure that the context makes your meaning clear and consider whether alternatives like "just passing" or "precisely passing" might be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

precisely passing

Replaces "exactly" with "precisely" for emphasizing accuracy in passing.

just passing

Focuses on barely achieving a passing grade or standard.

barely passing

Highlights the narrow margin by which something is passing.

precisely traversing

Indicates accuracy and precision as one moves through or across something.

perfectly aligned

Emphasizes perfect alignment rather than a passing action, useful in technical contexts.

directly traversing

Used when something is passing in a straight line and without deviation.

perfectly clearing

Focuses on completely passing through a barrier or obstacle.

accurately navigating

Suggests careful and precise movement through a space or process.

completely fulfilling

Indicates that all requirements for passing have been met without exception.

exceeding expectations

Implies that the passing is not only achieved but surpassed.

FAQs

What does "exactly passing" mean?

The phrase "exactly passing" suggests a precise action of passing something, or barely meeting a requirement. The meaning depends heavily on context.

When is it appropriate to use "exactly passing"?

Use "exactly passing" when you want to emphasize the precision of passing something, or when someone barely achieves a passing grade. However, consider alternatives like "just passing" for greater clarity in some contexts.

What are some alternatives to "exactly passing"?

Alternatives include "precisely passing", "just passing", "barely passing", or "perfectly aligned" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is "exactly passing" grammatically correct?

Yes, "exactly passing" is grammatically correct, but it isn't always the most elegant or common phrasing. Consider if a more specific or common phrase might improve clarity.