has passed away

USAGE SUMMARY

"has passed away" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone who has died. For example: "I'm sorry to say that John's grandmother has passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"La Dama de Hierro" has passed away.

Independent

A neighborhood guy has passed away.

The New York Times

"Now my brother has passed away.

The New York Times

We mentioned earlier today that Millard Kaufman has passed away.

The New Yorker

"Operation Rising Star" means a passenger has passed away.

The Economist

Shocked & sad to hear Alan Rickman has passed away.

Independent

They tell her that her grandfather has passed away.

The New York Times - Books

So devastated to hear Katie has passed away.

Independent

Deeply saddened Devastated the greatest ever has passed away!

Independent

"Your brother's son has passed away," the man said.

The New Yorker

AIN--Theodore, has passed away after a long illness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "has passed away" as a respectful and gentle way to announce or discuss someone's death, especially in sensitive or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "has passed away" in very informal situations where a more direct term like "died" would be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has passed away" functions as a euphemistic verb phrase, indicating the death of a person. It serves to soften the directness of the word "died", providing a more gentle and respectful way to convey the news. Ludwig examples show this phrase used across varied contexts, confirming its function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has passed away" is a common and respectful way to announce someone's death. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use. While it is a euphemism intended to soften the directness of "died", its appropriateness depends on the context. It is most suitable for formal announcements, obituaries, and sensitive conversations where tact and respect are paramount. Alternatives like "has died" or "is deceased" may be more fitting in different situations. The choice ultimately depends on the desired level of formality and sensitivity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has died

More direct and less euphemistic.

is deceased

More formal and often used in official contexts.

is no more

A more poetic and figurative expression.

has left us

Emphasizes the sense of loss and departure.

has departed

A formal and somewhat old-fashioned term.

is gone

Simple and direct, but can also be ambiguous.

met their end

A more dramatic and final-sounding phrase.

succumbed to

Often used when someone dies after a struggle with illness.

lost their life

Highlights the tragedy of death.

breathed their last

A very formal and literary way to describe death.

FAQs

What's a more direct way to say "has passed away"?

A more direct alternative to "has passed away" is "has died". It's less euphemistic but may be more suitable in some contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "has passed away"?

"Has passed away" is suitable in formal or sensitive situations when you want to express someone's death in a respectful and gentle manner. It's often used in obituaries, formal announcements, and condolences.

Are there more formal alternatives to "has passed away"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "is deceased" or "has departed" for even more formal contexts.

Is "has passed away" considered a euphemism?

Yes, "has passed away" is a euphemism for "died". Euphemisms are used to soften the impact of unpleasant or sensitive topics. The choice between using a euphemism and a more direct term depends on the context and your audience.