pass the night

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass the night" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe the act of sleeping or spending the night somewhere. For example, "We decided to pass the night at the nearby cabin."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

Traditionally, before assuming a new post, local officials used to pass the night in Cheng Huang's temple seeking guidance.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They had escaped and returned to their workplace to pass the night, another concession to their changing world.

The New York Times

"And it's a good place to pass the night, because we can't be alone in our houses".

The New York Times

The cold and wet had penetrated Jen's spirit, and she wanted to pass the night reading in our small antique bed.

The New York Times

No complaint came except from her father when a young Ecuadorean was forced by a sudden flood to pass the night at the house of her boyfriend.

The Economist

It also holds in great esteem those "servants of God who pass the night prostrating themselves in the worship of their Lord" (25:63–65).

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

If we pass the evening with those friends — books — it's because we really want to.

The New Yorker

After touring the museum, the sculpture-dotted grounds are a splendid, relaxing place to pass the afternoon.

The New York Times - Travel

The party of Vladimir Meciar, an authoritarian ex-prime minister who isolated Slovakia from Europe in the 1990s, failed to pass the 5% threshold needed to enter parliament.

The Economist

The Eurovision tragics can link their gatherings to others – and pass the evening in a deluge of one-liners, puns and instant adjudications.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Unfortunately for Mr Dzurinda, two reform-minded small parties failed to pass the 5% threshold necessary to get into parliament.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "pass the night" when you want to describe spending the night in a specific location or under particular circumstances, emphasizing the experience of being there.

Common error

Avoid using "pass the night" in formal contexts where more precise language is expected, like legal or scientific documents. Consider more formal alternatives like "stay overnight" or "remain for the duration of the night".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass the night" functions as a verb phrase indicating the action of spending the night in a specific location or under certain circumstances. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "pass the night" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that describes spending the night in a specific place or situation. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in News & Media, the phrase also appears in Encyclopedias, Wiki, Formal & Business, and Science contexts. While alternatives like "spend the night" or "stay overnight" exist, "pass the night" offers a unique nuance, implying a transient or circumstantial experience. When using "pass the night", consider the setting and ensure it aligns with the phrase's neutral to slightly informal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

spend the night

A direct synonym, indicating the act of staying somewhere overnight.

stay overnight

Emphasizes remaining in a place until the next day.

lodge for the night

Implies finding temporary accommodation for the evening.

sojourn overnight

Suggests a brief stay during the night, often in a formal context.

rest for the night

Focuses on the aspect of sleeping and resting during the night.

turn in for the night

An informal way to say going to bed and ending the day.

bivouac

Staying temporarily in an unsheltered place.

camp out

Staying overnight in a tent or outdoors.

hang out overnight

An informal way to say spending the night casually, often with friends.

while away the night

Focuses on enjoying or occupying oneself during the night.

FAQs

How can I use "pass the night" in a sentence?

You can use "pass the night" to describe spending the night in a particular place or situation. For example, "They decided to "spend the night" at a hotel after the concert."

What are some alternatives to "pass the night"?

Some alternatives include "stay overnight", "spend the night", or "rest for the night". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "pass the night" a formal or informal expression?

"Pass the night" is generally considered a neutral to slightly informal expression. It's suitable for everyday conversation and writing, but more formal alternatives might be preferable in official documents.

What's the difference between "pass the night" and "spend the night"?

While they are very similar, "spend the night" is more commonly used and versatile. "Pass the night" might imply a more transient or circumstantial experience, while "spend the night" is a more general term for staying somewhere overnight.