pass the ball

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "pass the ball" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to communicate an instruction to have a ball passed from one person to another. For example, "Let's keep the game going - someone pass the ball!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Why can't you pass the ball?

The New York Times - Sports

Translation: When in doubt, pass the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

He can pass the ball, too.

The New York Times - Sports

It means pass the ball.

The New York Times

We cannot pass the ball.

The Guardian - Sport

"Oak can pass the ball," Jordan said.

The New York Times - Sports

She's able to pass the ball now.

The New York Times - Sports

I like to pass the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

"We need to pass the ball better.

The Guardian - Sport

But he decided to pass the ball.

The New York Times - Sports

If there's two guys, a double-team, pass the ball.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In team sports, prioritize passing to a teammate in a better position to improve scoring opportunities. Analyze the field and anticipate opponent movements before you "pass the ball".

Common error

Avoid blindly passing the ball without considering the positions of your teammates and opponents. A well-placed pass is more effective than a rushed one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass the ball" primarily functions as an imperative, instructing someone to transfer possession of the ball to another player. Ludwig examples show its use in sports contexts, emphasizing teamwork and strategic play.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass the ball" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to instruct someone to transfer possession, most often in sports contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a straightforward and effective way to emphasize teamwork. While its register is typically informal, it appears frequently in news and media, as well as in instructional wikis. To use it most effectively, focus on teammate positioning and strategic play.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give the ball

A simpler and more direct way of saying the same thing.

play the ball

Emphasizes the action of directing the ball to a teammate.

throw the ball

Used in contexts where the ball is thrown instead of kicked.

share possession

Focuses on the act of sharing rather than the physical action of passing.

distribute the sphere

Uses more formal language to describe passing in a sports context.

hand it off

Implies a direct, hand-to-hand transfer, common in football.

kick it over

Specifically refers to passing in soccer, employing colloquial language.

lay it off

Suggests a gentle pass, often used in soccer.

recycle possession

Used when the focus is on maintaining possession of the ball through passing.

switch play

Refers to transferring the ball from one side of the field to the other.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "pass the ball" in a sentence?

Use "pass the ball" to instruct someone to transfer possession in a game or to emphasize teamwork. For example, "If you're double-teamed, "pass the ball" to the open teammate".

What are some alternative ways to say "pass the ball"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "give the ball", "distribute the sphere", or "share possession".

In what situations is it appropriate to say "pass the ball"?

It's appropriate in any team sport where possession is transferred, whether it's instructing a player during a game or discussing strategy. It can also be used metaphorically to suggest delegating responsibility.

Is it grammatically correct to say "pass the ball"?

Yes, "pass the ball" is grammatically correct. It's a command or instruction using the verb "pass" followed by the object "the ball".