have passed away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "have passed away" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as a euphemism for someone who has died, often to convey the news in a more gentle manner. Example: "We are saddened to inform you that our beloved grandmother has passed away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Most of the artists have passed away".

The New York Times

"My mother and father have passed away".

The Guardian

"What do you mean?" "Both have passed away.

The New Yorker

"So many other people have passed away or moved away.

The New York Times

A lot of people have passed away this way.

The Guardian - Sport

Witnesses, responsible authorities, even the perpetrator himself or herself, may have passed away".

The New York Times

Life.Vu offers online memorial pages for loved ones who have passed away.

The New Yorker

Bands have heartbeats, too, and sometimes they go on long after the bands have passed away.

The New Yorker

Frequently, we now find out much later that people have passed away and are gone.

The New York Times

But many of the people who fought to have it built have passed away.

Independent

Argentina has not responded well when presidents or influential spouses have passed away prematurely.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "have passed away" in situations where you want to soften the directness of the word 'died', especially when offering condolences or in formal contexts.

Common error

While "have passed away" is a polite euphemism, overuse can sound detached or insincere. In some contexts, especially when conveying strong emotion or in personal narratives, using "died" may be more appropriate and genuine.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "have passed away" functions as a euphemism, a polite or indirect way of expressing something considered unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms this is a common way to refer to death without using the direct term 'died'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "have passed away" is a widely used and grammatically correct euphemism for 'died', as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to soften the directness of the term, making it suitable for formal announcements, obituaries, and situations where sensitivity is paramount. While very common in News & Media and Scientific contexts, it's important to be mindful of overuse and to consider more direct language in informal settings. The phrase is a common way to express a difficult truth with consideration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

have died

More direct and less formal alternative.

have departed

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative.

are deceased

A formal and legalistic term.

are no longer with us

A gentler and more comforting way to express death.

have ceased to live

A more clinical and detached phrasing.

have lost their life

Emphasizes the loss and can be more emotionally resonant.

have gone to the afterlife

Implies a belief in an afterlife, adding a spiritual dimension.

have crossed over

Similar to 'gone to the afterlife', suggesting a transition to another realm.

have breathed their last

A more poetic and figurative way to describe death.

are gone

Simple and direct, but can sometimes sound abrupt depending on context.

FAQs

What's a less direct way to say someone died?

The phrase "have passed away" is a common euphemism used to soften the directness of the word "died". Other options include "are no longer with us" or "have departed".

Is it appropriate to say "have passed away" in all situations?

While generally acceptable, using "have passed away" might be less suitable in informal settings or when a more direct tone is required. In those instances, "have died" may be more appropriate.

Which is more formal, "have died" or "have passed away"?

"Have passed away" is generally considered more formal than "have died". The choice depends on the context and the relationship with the audience.

What's the difference between "have passed away" and "have passed on"?

Both are euphemisms for death, but "have passed on" often carries a slightly more spiritual connotation, suggesting a transition to another existence. "Have passed away" is a more neutral and widely applicable euphemism.