matters of passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "matters of passing" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear in meaning.
It could be used in contexts discussing transient issues or topics that are not of significant importance. Example: "In the grand scheme of things, we should focus on the important issues rather than getting bogged down in matters of passing."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The House of Representatives (Shūgiin), or lower house, ultimately takes precedence over the House of Councillors (Sangiin), or upper house, in matters of passing legislation, controlling the budget, and approving treaties with foreign powers.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Achieving that "was really just a matter of passing everything by the women," he said.

The New York Times

It wasn't a matter of passing so much as of positioning.

The New Yorker

"It's not a matter of passing laws but changing the nature of criminal investigations" and judicial standards.

The New York Times

Well, because of the configuration in Parliament, we were unable to move forward in the matter of passing the necessary laws.

The New York Times

Congress also faces the small matter of passing a budget so that the government can continue to function in the new year.

The Economist

Today's interviewee thinks it's a matter of passing on the abuse: "The unnecessary stress and the work is really a rite of passage, I think.

The Guardian - Opinion

The lack of "long-term market power" for operators means it is not simply a matter of passing on costs to customers.

The Guardian

Health reform is not merely a matter of passing a bill, hard as that has been (and may still be); its success will also depend on how that bill is put into action.

The New York Times

Many claim and have claimed to be structuralists but it usually turns out that only a limited aspect of his thought has an influence on them, and at worst the adoption of the label "structuralist" was merely a matter of passing fashion.

The Guardian

"It is not a matter of passing new laws.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "matters of passing", ensure the context clearly indicates that the subject is not significant or is temporary. It is best used when contrasting with more important or lasting issues.

Common error

Avoid using "matters of passing" when the subject actually has long-term implications or importance. The phrase should genuinely reflect the subject's transient or inconsequential nature.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "matters of passing" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes issues, topics, or concerns that are temporary, unimportant, or insignificant. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase isn't particularly common.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "matters of passing" is a phrase used to describe transient or insignificant issues. Ludwig AI indicates that it is not a commonly used phrase. While grammatically correct, it is best used when the context clearly reflects the temporary or unimportant nature of the subject. Consider alternatives such as "fleeting concerns" or "trivial affairs" for greater clarity or impact. Ensure you avoid using it when the subject has long-term implications. The phrase appears most frequently in news and media sources, with limited use in formal business or academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting concerns

Replaces "matters" with "concerns" and "passing" with "fleeting" to emphasize the temporary nature.

trivial affairs

Substitutes "matters" with "affairs" and "passing" with "trivial" to denote unimportance.

transient issues

Replaces "matters" with "issues" and "passing" with "transient" highlighting their short duration.

temporary problems

Changes "matters" to "problems" and "passing" to "temporary", focusing on short-lived difficulties.

momentary questions

Uses "momentary" instead of "passing" and replaces "matters" with "questions", implying brief inquiries.

brief episodes

Replaces the phrase with "brief episodes", focusing on short, self-contained events.

minor incidents

Replaces the phrase with "minor incidents" to downplay significance of occurring events.

insignificant details

Changes "matters" to "details" and replaces "passing" with "insignificant", highlighting their lack of importance.

negligible concerns

Uses "negligible" to describe concerns, emphasizing their unimportance.

passing fancies

Replaces "matters" with "fancies" and maintains "passing", suggesting temporary whims.

FAQs

How can I use "matters of passing" in a sentence?

Use "matters of passing" to refer to issues or topics that are not of significant importance or are only temporary. For example: "In the grand scheme of things, we should focus on the important issues rather than getting bogged down in "matters of passing"."

What can I say instead of "matters of passing"?

You can use alternatives like "fleeting concerns", "trivial affairs", or "transient issues" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "matters of passing" or "important matters"?

Both are correct, but they have opposite meanings. "Matters of passing" refers to unimportant or temporary issues, while "important matters" refers to significant issues.

What is the difference between "matters of passing" and "pressing issues"?

"Matters of passing" describes topics that are not particularly important or urgent, while "pressing issues" are urgent and require immediate attention. They are near antonyms.