passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "passed" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to indicate that someone has moved beyond a certain point or has completed a test or requirement. Example: "She passed the exam with flying colors." Alternative expressions include "completed" and "succeeded."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The displaced groups were expected to be living in the tents for up to eight weeks and authorities won't know until Cyclone Nathan has passed whether damage caused is likely to extend that.

The Guardian

The UN motion was passed on Tuesday night, with the support of the US, but a number of security council members condemned Russia's stance.

The Guardian

And they were passed from man to man - sometimes on a daily basis.

BBC

Shad made his overture: "I'm gay, and when Prop. 8 passed, last year, it was a huge slap in the face for me.

The Economist

So the fact that the TARP was eventually passed doesn't mean that the initial vote against it didn't matter.

The Economist

A month passed.

The New York Times

In 1992, Thailand passed two laws to curb tobacco use: the Tobacco Product Control Act – banning tobacco advertisement and sales to minors – and the Non-Smoker Health Protection Act – prohibiting smoking in public places.

The Guardian

I took the story to VICE, but they passed too.

The Guardian - Opinion

His task will be similar to the one Edberg encountered with Federer, helping him to understand he would have to accept being passed at the net because if he continued to do it correctly, it would pay off when the pressure was ramped up later in the match.

The Guardian - Sport

Walker notes several new businesses opening up in town, and believes the worst has passed.

The Guardian

At the start of this year, he notes, both chambers of Congress passed budgets, and "had one side not decided to pursue a strategy of brinksmanship" they could have come together and figured it out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed" to clearly indicate the completion of a stage, test, or law. It's straightforward and widely understood.

Common error

Avoid using "past" when you mean "passed". "Past" refers to a previous time, while "passed" is the past tense of the verb "pass". For example, "The law was passed" is correct, not "The law was past".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passed" is as the past tense and past participle of the verb 'pass'. It signifies the completion of an action, movement beyond a point, or the approval of something. Ludwig AI examples demonstrate its versatility in various contexts, from the passage of time to the enactment of laws.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Lifestyle

5%

Travel

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passed" functions primarily as the past tense and past participle of "pass", signifying completion, movement, or approval. As evidenced by Ludwig AI examples, it's a very common word, widely used across diverse contexts, with a neutral register that can become more formal or professional depending on the situation. The most frequent contexts include News & Media, Sport, and Opinion. To avoid errors, remember the difference between "passed" and "past". The AI analysis confirms that "passed" is grammatically sound and ubiquitous in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went by

Focuses on the progression of time or an event, differing in its emphasis on movement rather than completion or approval.

elapsed

Emphasizes the passage of time, presenting a more formal tone than "passed".

made it through

Highlights survival or successful completion of a challenging situation, adding a layer of difficulty.

was approved

Specifically relates to the approval of a proposal or law, altering the meaning to legislative action.

slipped by

Suggests a subtle or unnoticed movement or passage, implying a lack of attention.

was adopted

Implies acceptance or enactment, differing from simply moving beyond a point.

exceeded

Indicates surpassing a limit or expectation, altering the meaning to one of surpassing.

was handed over

Indicates a transfer of possession or responsibility, shifting the focus to the act of giving.

transitioned

Emphasizes a change of state or condition, shifting the focus to transformation.

was transmitted

Focuses on the transfer of information or disease, changing the context significantly.

FAQs

How can I use "passed" in a sentence?

The word "passed" can be used in various contexts, such as indicating the completion of a test ("She "passed the exam""), the enactment of a law ("The bill was "passed by Congress""), or the passage of time ("Several years "passed before they met again"").

What's the difference between "passed" and "past"?

"Passed" is a verb indicating movement or completion, while "past" is a noun or adjective referring to a previous time. For example, "She "passed the house" quickly" (passed) vs. "In the "in the past", things were different" (past).

What are some synonyms for "passed" when referring to the enactment of a law?

When "passed" refers to a law, synonyms include "approved", "enacted", "adopted", or "ratified". The specific word choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "time has passed" or "time has past"?

It is correct to say "time has passed". "Passed" is the past participle of the verb "pass", which is required after the auxiliary verb "has". "Past" is incorrect in this context.