he passes over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he passes over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is ignoring or overlooking something or someone. Example: "In his speech, he passes over the important issues that need to be addressed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

He leaves his silvery surface as he passes over it".

The Guardian - Arts

He passes over the summit and begins what must surely be a glorious descent to victory.

The Guardian - Sport

As he walks through the chute, he passes over a metal bar, with his feet on either side.

The New York Times - Magazine

He passes over the suicide of his only son, Danton, from whom he was 'miserably estranged', in a single sentence.

The Guardian - Arts

"Here are our demands," says the shadowy figure, producing a note which he passes over the table.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

He passes over the story of Koestler's recruitment of von E., the son of a high-ranking diplomat, as an informant.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Or was he passed over for a promotion?

The New Yorker

Later, our Boldface correspondent asked Mr. Bierko which career-changing, life-transforming, wallet-inflating role had he passed over?

The New York Times

He passed over 2001 figures because of the World Trade Center disaster's devastating impact on New York business.

The New York Times - Food

As he rode on the course, he skidded when he passed over a plastic sheath covering a television cable running across the street.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he could see wrecked planes beneath him as he passed over Danang Air Base. .

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he passes over" when you want to subtly indicate that a subject or detail is being intentionally or unintentionally overlooked in a narrative or discussion.

Common error

Avoid using "he passes over" when you mean simply to describe someone moving physically across a surface. The phrase implies more of an oversight or omission than a physical action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he passes over" functions primarily as a verb phrase, often used transitively to indicate that someone is omitting, overlooking, or disregarding something. Ludwig examples confirm that this phrase is used both in describing physical movement and, more commonly, in a figurative sense.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he passes over" is a versatile verb phrase used to indicate that someone is omitting, overlooking, or disregarding something. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it carries a neutral to slightly formal tone and is frequently found in news and media sources. While grammatically correct, it's important to understand its nuance to avoid misusing it in contexts where simple physical movement is described. Consider alternatives like "he overlooks" or "he omits" depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he skips over

Implies a quick and intentional bypassing of something.

he overlooks

Focuses more on neglecting to notice something.

he bypasses

Implies going around something, often to avoid it.

he glosses over

Suggests a superficial treatment of a subject.

he ignores

Highlights a conscious act of not paying attention.

he disregards

Emphasizes a deliberate decision to ignore something.

he neglects

Focuses on a failure to care for or attend to something.

he omits

Highlights the act of leaving something out.

he avoids

Emphasizes the act of staying away from something.

he leaves out

Simple way to indicate omitting something.

FAQs

How can I use "he passes over" in a sentence?

Use "he passes over" to indicate that someone is overlooking, ignoring, or omitting a particular detail, topic, or person. For example: "In his presentation, "he passes over" the financial implications of the project."

What's the difference between "he passes over" and "he overlooks"?

"He passes over" often implies a more deliberate or purposeful omission, while "he overlooks" suggests a more accidental or unintentional failure to notice something.

What are some alternatives to using "he passes over"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "he omits", "he skips over", or "he disregards" to convey similar meanings.

Is "he passes over" formal or informal?

"He passes over" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it may sound slightly more formal than simpler alternatives like "he ignores" or "he leaves out".