he passes away

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he passes away' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in situations where someone has died, for example: "John passed away peacefully after a long illness".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

He will be unable to stay by his ailing brother's side until he passes away.

The New York Times

The story centres on a dying man's wish to discover the meaning of life before he passes away.

The Guardian - Film

"His will states that from the moment he passes away, her needs were to be taken care of," said Richard D. Emery, a lawyer for the Sprayregen sons.

The New York Times

"You know if you're on the date and he passes away, you don't get his money," he said as the crowd roared.

The New York Times

Cirrus holds his passwords and instructions for his wife to shut down his social media accounts as soon as he passes away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"If he passes away in Guatemala I wouldn't forgive myself being so many miles away from him," Ángel Rosa's 18-year-old daughter Lorena told the Guardian as she sought answers to why federal agents detained her father during a raid on their home last Friday in Hyrum, Utah.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He passed away last May.

The New Yorker

(He passed away in 1997).

The New York Times

"Had?" "He passed away after Katrina".

The New Yorker

Eighteen days later, he passed away.

The New York Times

He passed away at age 82.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he passes away" when you want to express the fact of someone's death in a respectful and somewhat formal manner, especially when writing obituaries, news reports, or formal announcements.

Common error

While "he passes away" is a polite way to refer to death, avoid overusing euphemisms in a single text. Too many can make your writing sound unnatural or avoidant. Balance it with more direct language where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he passes away" functions as a euphemism for death. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It softens the directness of stating that someone has died, making it suitable for sensitive contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he passes away" is a grammatically sound and frequently used euphemism for death, suitable for conveying sensitivity and respect. Ludwig AI affirms its proper usage. Predominantly featured in News & Media, it serves to soften the impact of directly stating someone's death. While effective in formal contexts, it's important to balance its usage with more direct language to maintain naturalness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he dies

A more direct and less euphemistic way of saying someone has died.

he is deceased

A formal and legalistic term indicating that someone is dead.

he breathes his last

A more poetic and figurative way to describe someone's death.

he departs this life

A formal and somewhat religious way of saying someone has died.

he succumbs

Implies death due to illness or injury.

he is no more

A simple and emphatic way of saying someone is dead.

he crosses over

Suggests a transition to another realm or existence after death.

he kicks the bucket

An informal and somewhat humorous way of saying someone has died.

he joins his ancestors

A respectful phrase often used in cultural contexts to indicate death.

he meets his maker

Indicates death as an encounter with God or a higher power.

FAQs

What does "he passes away" mean?

The phrase "he passes away" is a euphemism for death, meaning that a male individual has died. It's a more gentle and formal way of expressing the fact of someone's death.

When is it appropriate to use "he passes away"?

It is appropriate to use "he passes away" in formal contexts, such as obituaries, news reports, or when speaking to someone who is grieving. It is generally used to soften the directness of saying someone "dies".

What can I say instead of "he passes away"?

You can use alternatives like "he dies", "he is deceased", or "he is no more" depending on the context and level of formality required.

Is "he passes away" the same as "he passed away"?

No, "he passes away" is in the present tense, whereas "he passed away" is in the past tense. "He passed away" is the correct form to use when stating that someone has died.