pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in various contexts, such as indicating the act of moving past something or allowing something to happen without interference. Example: "I decided to pass on the opportunity to join the committee this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I wake up around 4am and if I've got a bus pass I get on the night bus and sleep there until morning.

The Guardian

That wish to pass something on is about the most basic, human and natural instinct there is.

The Guardian

He said he was "disappointed" by the decision to pull the bill, but suggested party leadership would return to the issue when they could be confident they would have the votes to pass it.

The Guardian

The star-crossed lovers take drugs, try to pass exams, get involved with student politics.

The Guardian - Film

You'll pass through the dense forest of Piano Provenzano, across ancient lava flows and to elevations with views across the Ionian Sea.

The Guardian - Travel

"There was still one problem: we did not know whether, when we came to the final barrier, we would need a pass.

The Guardian

Ronaldo was visibly angry after Bale failed to pass to him but the Portugal player insists it is already water under the bridge for him, while he also said the Madrid fans "should be nice" to the former Tottenham winger.

The Guardian - Sport

From next week, the government will require six out of the eight crossbenchers to pass any legislation which Labor and the Greens oppose.

The Guardian

Environment minister Greg Hunt has been out and about this morning on the ABC and on the doors at Parliament, "hoping and expecting but not presuming" the new senate will pass the carbon tax repeal bills, driving the final nail into the heart of Labor's emissions trading scheme.

The Guardian

Each pass was greeted with an olé from the fans.

The Guardian - Sport

He said he was "angry" about this, but added: "It would be unfair to pass suspended sentences on you in these circumstances".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pass" to indicate the act of transferring something, consider the formality of the situation. In formal contexts, "transfer" or "hand over" might be more appropriate. In sports, "pass" is the standard term.

Common error

Avoid confusing "pass", which means to move by or transfer, with "past", which refers to a previous time or something that has already happened. For example, "I will pass the store" versus "I went past the store yesterday".

Linguistic Context

The word "pass" serves various grammatical functions, acting as both a verb (e.g., "to pass an exam") and a noun (e.g., "a mountain pass"). Ludwig shows its adaptability in describing movement, transitions, and approvals.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Sport

20%

Lifestyle

15%

Less common in

Travel

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "pass" is a versatile term with multiple meanings, encompassing movement, transitions, and approvals. As Ludwig demonstrates, its grammatical correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, particularly in news, sports, and lifestyle media, highlight its widespread applicability. Distinguishing "pass" from "past" is essential to avoid common errors. Consider alternatives like "go by" or "transfer" depending on the specific context to enhance clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go by

Focuses on the progression of time or events.

go through

Emphasizes the act of experiencing or undergoing something, typically a difficult or challenging process.

move past

Highlights the transition from one point or situation to another.

transfer

Highlights the movement of something from one place or person to another.

hand over

Emphasizes the act of transferring something to another person.

approve

Indicates formal acceptance or authorization.

complete

Indicates the successful finishing of an examination or process.

elapse

Specifically refers to the progression of time.

be accepted

Highlights the act of someone or something gaining approval.

overlook

Emphasizes neglecting or failing to notice something.

FAQs

How can I use "pass" in a sentence?

The word "pass" has many meanings. It can mean to move by something, like "I will "pass the store"". It can also mean to transfer something, like "Please "pass the salt"". Finally, it can be used to indicate the successful completion of something, such as "I hope to "pass the exam"".

What are some alternatives to the word "pass"?

Depending on the intended meaning, you can use alternatives such as "go by", "transfer", "approve", or "elapse".

Which is correct, "pass the exam" or "past the exam"?

"Pass the exam" is correct. "Past the exam" would be incorrect because "past" refers to something that has already happened or a location, not the act of successfully completing an examination.

What's the difference between "pass away" and "die"?

"Pass away" is a euphemism for "die". It's a more gentle and polite way to refer to someone's death, often used to soften the impact of the news.