pass a decision

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass a decision" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are describing a process in which someone makes a choice or ruling. For example: "The jury was asked to pass a decision on the accused."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

There will be no vote at the Scottish Football League's Tuesday meeting on proposals to accept a newco Rangers because it is unclear what percentage is required to pass a decision.

BBC

It's on this point that the court may finally pass a decision as to whether this practice is unconstitutional, or a legal practice.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

In July 1990, the Assembly of Serbia passed a decision to suspend the Assembly of Kosovo shortly after 114 of the 123 Kosovo Albanian delegates from that Assembly had passed an unofficial resolution declaring Kosovo an equal and independent entity within the SFRY.

The Guardian

Following the outcry the Yarra City Council, the local government that controls Edinburgh Gardens, passed a decision banning all alcohol consumption in public spaces from 9 PM 30 December until 9 AM 1 January.

Vice

A key operational step in the running of an adaptive trial will be establishing and managing the data monitoring committee and the surrounding steps and processes in reviewing the interim data sets, passing a decision, and implementing the recommendation.

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

(2013); we only appraised cells as MLIs if they passed a decision tree that incorporates various firing properties (e.g., Hz, CV, CV2, and interspike interval) and is outlined in Ruigrok et al.

Cell Reports

A vote on the merger will need the support of at least 75 percent of Xstrata's eligible shareholders to pass, while a decision on the retention bonuses will only need the backing of 50 percent of investors.

The New York Times

And the commission has already granted 20-year license extensions for 23 reactors at 12 sites nationwide, with 10 other plants still waiting to pass through a decision process that can take more than two years.

The New York Times

But when the justices are at loggerheads, months can pass without a decision.

Huffington Post

A two-thirds majority of all the village's 109 representatives is needed to pass a resolution, so no decision was reached.

The Economist

In this auction East made the unusual decision to pass a 12-point hand.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass a decision" when referring to the act of formally making and communicating a judgment or ruling, especially within a committee or governing body.

Common error

Avoid overusing the phrase "pass a decision" when simpler alternatives like "decide" or "rule" would be more direct and effective in conveying the same meaning. Consider the context and audience to determine the most appropriate choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass a decision" functions as a verb phrase where 'pass' acts as a transitive verb taking 'decision' as its direct object. It describes the action of formally making and communicating a judgement. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which confirms its validity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass a decision" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe the act of formally making and communicating a judgment or ruling. Ludwig confirms its validity and provides examples of its use in diverse contexts, although simpler alternatives may sometimes be more appropriate. The phrase is most commonly found in news media and scientific publications, suggesting a neutral to formal register. While not exceedingly common, its meaning is consistently clear and understandable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

make a ruling

Focuses more on the formal aspect of judgment or decree.

hand down a decision

Emphasizes the official communication of the ruling.

reach a verdict

Implies a formal judgment, especially in legal contexts.

render a judgment

More formal and legalistic than "pass a decision".

come to a conclusion

Highlights the end of a deliberation process.

issue a decree

Suggests an authoritative and formal command.

make a determination

Highlights the act of establishing something definitively.

arrive at a resolution

Implies resolving a conflict or problem.

resolve an issue

Focuses on solving a specific problem or dispute.

take a resolution

Emphasizes the act of formally adopting a course of action.

FAQs

How can I use "pass a decision" in a sentence?

You can use "pass a decision" to describe a formal ruling or judgement made by a group or individual. For example, "The committee will pass a decision on the proposal next week."

What can I say instead of "pass a decision"?

You can use alternatives like "make a ruling", "reach a verdict", or "come to a conclusion" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "pass a decision" or "make a decision"?

While both are correct, "make a decision" is more common and broadly applicable. "Pass a decision" often implies a more formal or official context, such as a committee passing a resolution.

What's the difference between "pass a decision" and "hand down a decision"?

"Pass a decision" generally means to make a ruling. "Hand down a decision", which is similar to "render a judgment", is often used in legal contexts to describe a court formally announcing its judgment.