he passed out

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he passed out" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone losing consciousness or fainting, often due to exhaustion, shock, or medical reasons. Example: "After running the marathon without proper hydration, he passed out on the finish line."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

He passed out several times.

The New York Times - Health

He passed out halfway through.

The New Yorker

Then he passed out three no-trump.

The New York Times

Several nights, he passed out cold.

The New York Times - Magazine

I think he passed out," Oakley says.

The Guardian

Then, at once, he passed out or slept.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

He passes out condoms.

The New Yorker

He passes out candy.

The New York Times

Then he passes out, and everyone leaves.

The New York Times - Arts

Should he pass out, his suit would provide twenty minutes of oxygen.

The New Yorker

Who is Amhai, and why is he passing out so much cash?

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he passed out" to describe a temporary loss of consciousness due to a specific cause like exhaustion, dehydration, or a medical condition. Be clear about the context to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "he passed out" when someone merely fell asleep. "Passed out" implies a loss of consciousness beyond normal sleepiness, often due to a medical or physical condition. Use "he fell asleep" or "he dozed off" instead when referring to regular sleep.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he passed out" functions as a verbal phrase, where "passed out" acts as a phrasal verb indicating the action of losing consciousness. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he passed out" is a common and generally acceptable way to describe someone temporarily losing consciousness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. While suitable for most everyday conversations and news reports, more formal settings might benefit from alternatives like "he lost consciousness". Ludwig's analysis of numerous examples shows that "he passed out" frequently appears in News & Media, Wiki, and Science contexts, emphasizing its versatile yet somewhat informal nature. Remember to use it accurately, indicating a genuine loss of consciousness rather than mere sleepiness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he lost consciousness

Replaces "passed out" with a more formal and clinical term for losing awareness.

he fell unconscious

A more descriptive way of saying he lost the ability to respond to stimuli.

he fainted

Suggests a sudden, temporary loss of consciousness, often due to a lack of blood flow to the brain.

he blacked out

Indicates a sudden loss of consciousness, often associated with a brief memory gap.

he collapsed

Emphasizes the physical act of falling down due to a loss of strength or consciousness.

he became unresponsive

A medical term indicating a lack of reaction to stimuli.

he succumbed

Implies a yielding to some force, such as exhaustion or illness, leading to unconsciousness.

he was out cold

An informal way to emphasize the depth and suddenness of unconsciousness.

he was knocked out

Suggests an external force caused the loss of consciousness, such as a blow to the head.

he dozed off

Suggests falling asleep unintentionally or briefly, not necessarily a complete loss of consciousness.

FAQs

What does it mean when someone says "he passed out"?

When someone says "he passed out", it typically means that the person has temporarily lost consciousness, often due to factors like exhaustion, dehydration, or a medical condition.

What are some alternatives to saying "he passed out"?

You can use alternatives like "he lost consciousness", "he fainted", or "he blacked out" depending on the context.

Is "he passed out" a formal or informal expression?

"He passed out" is generally considered an informal expression. In more formal or medical contexts, it's better to use phrases like "he lost consciousness" or "he became unresponsive".

What could cause someone to pass out?

There are many potential causes, including dehydration, exhaustion, low blood sugar, certain medical conditions, and even strong emotional reactions. If someone passes out, it's often recommended to seek medical advice to determine the cause.