it passed without notice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it passed without notice" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation or event that occurred without anyone paying attention to it or acknowledging it. Example: "The minor changes to the policy were so subtle that they passed without notice among the staff."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

It passes without notice in the west, but what is more significant is how damaging it is to India's fragile democracy.

The Guardian - Books

The news comes a little over two years after Apple was reported to have sold iPhone number 500 million — a milestone it passed without much notice nearly seven years after the launch of the company's first handset.

TechCrunch

In short, if a great poet hadn't been sneaking around on his mother, an entire world of cabarets and coffee shops, as vivid in its way as Dickens's London, might have passed without notice.

The New Yorker

The time passed without notice; the score has seldom seemed so compact and inexorable.

The New York Times - Arts

The case might have passed without notice, but Antonio Fernandez was not an ordinary defendant.

The New Yorker

Elsewhere in China, security forces fanned out to ensure that the anniversary passed without notice.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, one of the interesting events that occurred very early on more or less passed without notice: Assad announced that the Kurds of Syria would be fully entitled to have their citizenship restored.

University of Pennsylvania

The fact that here was the first woman to be taking part in a presidential debate almost passed without notice – though Mr Trump could not resist some nasty innuendos.

The Guardian - Opinion

In previous generations, Badree's career, which comprises 14 first-class wickets over 10 years, would have passed without notice but 20-over cricket has provided a platform for his miserliness.

The Guardian - Sport

"We know what the American policies are, and we still don't like them". Al Hurra's debut passed without notice in some quarters: most Egyptians cannot afford a satellite dish.

The Guardian

The remarks passed without notice in the United States but were picked up by major Russian newspapers like the daily Kommersant, which described the "sensational statement" in a front-page article in Thursday's edition.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it passed without notice" to emphasize that an event or detail was not recognized or considered significant at the time it occurred.

Common error

While grammatically correct, excessive use of passive constructions like "it passed without notice" can make your writing sound weak. Consider rephrasing to use an active voice when appropriate to improve clarity and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it passed without notice" functions as a clause that modifies a verb or noun, indicating the manner in which an event occurred, specifically, that it happened without being observed or acknowledged. Ludwig confirms the validity of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

33%

Wiki

32%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it passed without notice" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that an event occurred without being observed or acknowledged. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it is relatively rare, found primarily in news, academic and wiki contexts. When using the expression, consider whether alternative phrasing might provide greater impact or clarity. Common synonyms include "it went unnoticed" or "it slipped under the radar".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it went unnoticed

This alternative is a more direct synonym, replacing "passed without notice" with "went unnoticed" for brevity.

it slipped under the radar

This alternative uses a more idiomatic expression to suggest that something was not detected or paid attention to.

it escaped attention

This alternative highlights the fact that something avoided being noticed or observed.

it was overlooked

This alternative emphasizes that something was missed or disregarded.

it wasn't acknowledged

This alternative focuses on the lack of recognition or acknowledgment of something.

it received no recognition

This alternative stresses the absence of any positive acknowledgement or acclaim.

it was disregarded

This alternative indicates that something was consciously ignored or dismissed.

it faded into obscurity

This alternative suggests that something gradually became unnoticed and forgotten.

it was swept under the rug

This alternative implies that something was deliberately concealed or ignored to avoid scrutiny.

it proved unmemorable

This alternative suggests that the thing did not deserve attention or could not hold any attention for long.

FAQs

What does "it passed without notice" mean?

The phrase "it passed without notice" means that something happened or was present but was not observed, acknowledged, or considered important at the time.

How can I use "it passed without notice" in a sentence?

You can use "it passed without notice" to describe an event, detail, or action that wasn't recognized or considered significant. For example, "The minor change to the policy "went unnoticed" by most employees."

What are some alternatives to "it passed without notice"?

Some alternatives to "it passed without notice" include "it went unnoticed", "it slipped under the radar", or "it escaped attention".

Is "it passed without notice" formal or informal?

"It passed without notice" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, you might consider a more precise alternative depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.