give passage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give passage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to allowing someone or something to pass through a space or to grant permission for movement. Example: "The guard was instructed to give passage to all authorized personnel entering the building."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

They work because the holes in the sieve will pass H2O but are too small to give passage to sodium and chloride ions (the components of salt), because these electrically charged species are accompanied by retinues of water molecules, which are attracted to them by their charges, and are thus, effectively, much larger than a lone water molecule is.

The Economist

I find that I have more space to love, accommodate, care, give passage and smile more.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Gives passage from Marinetti's 1909 manifesto.

The New Yorker

So we cannot say for certain which individual wrote a given passage.

Britannica

Most adult stutterers can predict many of the words they will stutter in reading aloud a given passage.

Britannica

During play, you may also be randomly given Passage Coins that can be used to buy buffs.

The Guardian - Tech

You had to answer a number of questions on a given passage — it was like being in school doing reading comprehension.

The New Yorker

A good way of getting a sense of the values and priorities of the Iliad's many translators is to compare how they translate a given passage.

The New Yorker

The formula involves the adding up of the long sentences, prepositional phrases and hard words in a given passage & then determining the readability by mathematical calculation.

The New Yorker

In this light, a given passage of Chinese music when analyzed or judged with the logic of Beethoven is chaos, but Beethoven seems equally illogical when viewed in the context of Chinese, or for that matter Indian, music theory.

Britannica

Because he doesn't know German, Crowley pieced together the book by comparing various English translations, deciding on the most readable and sensible interpretation of a given passage and then putting all of it in a new voice.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give passage", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being allowed to pass and through what. For example, "The treaty gave passage to foreign vessels through the strait."

Common error

Avoid using "give passage" when a more specific verb like "grant", "allow", or "permit" would be more appropriate and precise in the context. "Give passage" is best when referring to physical movement or permission to cross a boundary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give passage" functions as a verb phrase, where "give" acts as a transitive verb taking "passage" as its direct object. It indicates the act of granting permission or enabling movement through a specific area or situation. Ludwig AI examples highlight usage in contexts like desalination and personal growth.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give passage" is grammatically sound and functions to express allowance or facilitation of movement. While Ludwig AI identifies it as less common, its usage spans contexts from desalination processes to emotional growth, leaning towards a slightly formal register. Key alternatives include "grant access" and "permit transit". While correct in its usage, consider whether more specific verbs like "grant", "allow", or "permit" would improve clarity. Its most frequent contexts are News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grant access

This alternative focuses on providing the means to enter or pass through a place.

enable access

This focuses on making access possible.

allow entry

This phrase emphasizes permitting someone or something to enter.

authorize transit

This is about giving official permission for transit.

permit transit

This suggests formally allowing passage, often for vehicles or goods.

yield passage

This suggests to allow or provide opportunity to move past.

afford passage

This option highlights providing an opportunity or means for passing.

provide a way through

This emphasizes the act of creating a path or route.

furnish a path

This implies creating or supplying a path for movement.

let through

This is a more informal way of saying allow passage.

FAQs

How can I use "give passage" in a sentence?

You can use "give passage" to indicate allowing movement through a space, as in, "The law will give passage to cyclists on certain pedestrian paths."

What's a more formal alternative to "give passage"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "grant access" or "permit transit".

Is there a difference between "give passage" and "provide passage"?

While similar, "provide passage" often implies actively creating a way through, whereas "give passage" suggests simply allowing movement.

In what contexts is "give passage" most appropriate?

"Give passage" is suitable in contexts involving legal agreements, border crossings, or physical movement permissions. For example, "The government gave safe passage to refugees."