it is a passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is a passing" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be an attempt to convey a fleeting moment or event, but it lacks clarity and context. Example: "In the grand scheme of life, it is a passing moment that we often overlook."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Sometimes, it is a passing reference intended to emphasize his status as a regular family guy who happens to be living in the White House.

The New York Times

EMMOTT: My guess is that it is a passing insult, personal chiefly to Donald Rumsfeld, and part of an effort by him to divide Europe.

Forbes

In most cases it is a passing feeling, but it can strike deeply so many cases exist where people feel they have no skills and therefore no meaning in life.

WikiHow

"I thought to myself, maybe it is a passing funeral".

The New York Times

It is a passing crush which many people mistake for Love.

The Guardian - Books

DiFeo dismisses the idea that Instagram – and the commercial photography on it – is a passing fad.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was a passed ball, not a wild pitch.

The New York Times

It's a passed hors d'ouevre from a friendly cater-waiter.

The New York Times - Food

If it is a pass play, watch to see where the QB is looking.

WikiHow

It's a passing game now.

The New York Times

But it was a passing fashion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it is a passing" in formal writing. Opt for more precise and grammatically correct alternatives like "it is a passing phase" or "it is temporary".

Common error

Ensure that "passing" is followed by a noun to create a complete and grammatically sound phrase (e.g., "passing phase", "passing trend"). Without the noun the phrase sounds incomplete and does not conform to standard English.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is a passing" functions as an incomplete predication. It requires a noun to follow "passing" to form a complete thought. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase lacks clarity and context without this completion.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

10%

Social Media

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is a passing" is considered grammatically incorrect in standard English without a completing noun. As Ludwig AI points out, it lacks both clarity and context. While it appears in various sources, including News & Media and Wiki, it is recommended to use more precise and complete alternatives like "it is a passing phase", "it is temporary", or "it is transient" to ensure clarity and grammatical correctness. Its frequency is uncommon, suggesting that while not entirely absent, it's not a typical or preferred way to express the idea of something being temporary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is temporary

Replaces "passing" with the direct adjective "temporary", focusing on the limited duration.

it is only temporary

Reiterates the temporary nature with added emphasis.

it is transient

Uses "transient" to emphasize the fleeting nature of something.

it is fleeting

Emphasizes the quick and brief nature of the experience or state.

it is momentary

Highlights the very short duration of the subject.

it will pass

Focuses on the future cessation of the current state.

it's just a phase

Implies that the current situation is a stage that will eventually end.

it is short-lived

Directly states the brief existence of the subject.

it is not permanent

Indicates that the subject is not intended to last indefinitely.

it is ephemeral

Uses a more formal term to describe something very short-lived and delicate.

FAQs

What does "it is a passing" mean?

The phrase "it is a passing" is incomplete. It is likely intended to convey that something is temporary or transient, but requires a noun to complete the thought, such as "passing phase" or "passing trend".

Is "it is a passing" grammatically correct?

No, "it is a passing" is not grammatically correct in standard written English. A noun is needed after "passing" to complete the phrase and make it grammatically sound. Consider using phrases like "it is a passing phase" or "it is a passing fad" instead.

What are some alternatives to "it is a passing"?

Alternatives include "it is temporary", "it is transient", or using a complete phrase like "it is a passing phase" depending on the context.

How can I use the idea of "it is a passing" correctly in a sentence?

To use the idea of transience correctly, specify what is passing. For example, "this feeling is a passing one", "this trend is a passing fad", or "it is just a passing thought" are all grammatically correct.