it passes over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it passes over" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that moves across or goes beyond a particular point or area. Example: "As the storm approaches, it passes over the mountains, bringing heavy rain to the valley below."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I want to say it grazes my bald pate, but it passes over slowly like a spaceship, a margin of distance, perhaps of safety, of about a quarter inch.

The New York Times - Travel

Because when each page asks for the microapp content it passes over its own context the microapp can serve different content based on the current section and so on.

The Guardian

South Korea has warned it might shoot down a North Korean rocket if it passes over its territory, as worries about what Washington calls a long-range missile test overshadowed an international nuclear security summit.

The Guardian

Each car is wired, and its position is pinpointed when it passes over sensors on the track.

The New York Times - Sports

Wide in places and narrow in others, it passes over mainly boggy ground and long grass.

The Guardian - Travel

Flight controllers have failed to establish two-way communications with the spacecraft as it passes over Russian ground stations.

The Guardian

The weight of the car as it passes over a certain section in the streetc, changes the light.

The New Yorker

The railroad was built between 1863 and 1867, in pretty good time considering that it passes over 67 bridges and through 22 tunnels.

The New Yorker

"There is a bridge that is governed by Hong Kong law, but the water it passes over is governed by Chinese law," Dr. Fu said.

The New York Times

Becoming chilled as it passes over cold ocean currents to the north, that air brings fogs and drizzling rains to northeastern Asia.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In urochordates and cephalochordates the gonads develop in the wall of a cavity (atrium) that receives respiratory water after it passes over the gills.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing the movement of objects over geographical features, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the object is physically crossing the feature or simply moving in proximity to it.

Common error

Avoid using "it passes over" repeatedly in complex sentences; vary your language with synonyms like "it crosses", "it traverses", or "it sweeps over" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it passes over" primarily functions as a verb phrase, describing the action of something moving across a surface or area. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, which show it used in contexts ranging from satellites passing over countries to air passing over surfaces.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

24%

Science

23%

Wiki

23%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it passes over" is a grammatically sound and frequently used verb phrase to describe the movement of something across a specific area or surface. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly found in news articles, scientific literature, encyclopedias, and wikis, indicating its versatile applicability across various contexts. To enhance your writing, remember to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "it goes across" or "it traverses" for variety. Be careful to use this phrase in a sentence that is in present tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it goes across

Focuses on the movement from one side to another, simpler in expression.

it crosses

Directly refers to the act of going from one side to the other.

it traverses

Implies a more formal or technical crossing, often of a geographical area.

it moves past

Emphasizes the act of going beyond a certain point, rather than necessarily crossing it.

it sweeps over

Suggests a broad, continuous motion, often with an element of speed or force.

it clears

Suggests passing over an obstacle or completing a passage.

it skims across

Implies a light, glancing contact while passing over a surface.

it overlooks

Describes something being situated above and having a view of what's below.

it navigates

Involves skillful movement across a particular path or area.

it transcends

Indicates rising above or beyond limits.

FAQs

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

Use "it passes over" to describe movement across a surface or area. For example, "The satellite sends data whenever "it passes over" North Korea".

What are some alternatives to "it passes over"?

Alternatives include "it goes across", "it traverses", or "it sweeps over", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "it passes over" or "it passed over"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "it passes over" is present tense, while "it passed over" is past tense. Choose the tense that fits the time frame of your sentence.

What's the difference between "it passes over" and "it goes over"?

"It passes over" often implies a more direct route across a surface, whereas "it goes over" can have a broader meaning, including reviewing or examining something. Depending on the context, they may be interchangeable.