failed to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to pass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something did not succeed in being approved or accepted, often in the context of legislation, tests, or proposals. Example: "The new policy failed to pass due to lack of support from the committee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

(It failed to pass).

The New York Times

But it failed to pass.

The Guardian

The Legislature failed to pass a single measure.

The New Yorker

It has failed to pass three times since 2000.

The New York Times

In Suffolk County, 11 districts failed to pass budgets.

The New York Times

Similar proposals failed to pass under the previous governor.

The New York Times

"That was an institutional reform they failed to pass".

The New York Times

In 2010, Congress failed to pass a budget.

The New Yorker

But they failed to pass this message to Downing Street.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

GCHQ tracked the connection but failed to pass this on to MI5.

Independent

Another 21 polymorphisms failed to pass the criteria of medical relevance.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "failed to pass" when you want to clearly state that something, such as a bill or proposal, did not receive the necessary approval or achieve the required standard.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to be passed", which is unnecessarily wordy. "Failed to pass" is already in the active voice and conveys the meaning directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to pass" functions as a verb phrase. It typically indicates the lack of success in achieving a specific outcome, particularly concerning approval, acceptance, or meeting a required standard. As per Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

28%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "failed to pass" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to express the lack of success, approval, or completion of something. It's frequently found in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what exactly "failed to pass" and the reasons behind the failure. While interchangeable with "did not pass", "failed to pass" emphasizes unsuccessful efforts. Alternatives like "did not succeed" or "was rejected" can be used for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not succeed

Emphasizes the lack of success in achieving a goal.

was unsuccessful

Highlights the lack of a positive outcome.

did not get approved

Focuses on the lack of approval or authorization.

was rejected

Indicates a more direct and definitive denial.

did not go through

Suggests that something didn't complete the necessary steps or processes.

was not ratified

Specifically used in the context of formal agreements or treaties.

did not materialize

Implies that something didn't come into being or become a reality.

fell through

Informal way of saying something didn't happen or succeed.

proved abortive

A more formal way to express that something failed to produce the intended result.

met with defeat

Emphasizes the aspect of failure and loss.

FAQs

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

You can use "failed to pass" to indicate that a proposal, bill, or test did not achieve the required standard or approval. For example, "The new legislation "failed to pass" the Senate".

What are some alternatives to "failed to pass"?

Alternatives include "did not succeed", "was rejected", or "did not get approved" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "failed to pass" or "did not pass"?

"Failed to pass" and "did not pass" are generally interchangeable, but "failed to pass" can sometimes carry a stronger connotation of unsuccessful effort or expectation.

What does it mean when something "failed to pass"?

It means that something did not meet the necessary requirements for approval, acceptance, or completion. This is often used in reference to legislation or tests.