passed around

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed around" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be circulated or distributed among a group of people. Example: The book was passed around the classroom so that everyone could have a chance to read it.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Valentines were passed around in schools.

The New York Times

It passed around from friend to friend.

Harvard Business Review

Beer was passed around, shin guards removed.

The New York Times - Sports

Water pipes were passed around, and everyone got high.

The New Yorker

The newest baby passed around like a contagious glow.

The New Yorker

Then they passed around a hat for suggestions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Clip, save and pass around.

The New York Times - Tech

They were laughing, slouching, passing around cigarette papers.

The New Yorker

For starters, the slick interface is fun to pass around.

TechCrunch

That's all I been passing around.

Huffington Post

Forget the boomerang they pass around.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed around" when you want to emphasize the informal and often social nature of distributing something within a group. For example, "Stories were "passed around" the campfire."

Common error

While "passed around" is versatile, avoid using it in highly formal or technical writing. Opt for more precise terms like "distributed", "disseminated", or "circulated" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed around" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of distributing or circulating something among a group. Ludwig provides examples where it describes sharing physical objects, information, or even abstract concepts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "passed around" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe something being circulated or distributed within a group. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's versatile but leans towards informal and neutral contexts, being most frequently found in news and media. When writing, it's best to avoid this phrase in highly formal settings and opt for more precise alternatives like "distributed" or "disseminated". The provided examples and analysis offer a comprehensive understanding of how to effectively use "passed around" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

circulated among

Focuses on the act of spreading something widely.

distributed to

Emphasizes a more controlled or organized distribution.

handed out

Suggests a more direct, personal way of giving something.

shared with

Highlights the aspect of collaborative use or enjoyment.

relayed to

Implies the passing on of information or a message.

transmitted to

Suggests a formal or technical method of passing something, like data or a disease.

conveyed to

Focuses on communicating or transferring something, often intangible.

moved around

Implies a less direct or organized distribution than "passed around".

disseminated among

Suggests a broad and often formal distribution of information.

cascaded through

Emphasizes a flow or ripple effect as something spreads.

FAQs

What does "passed around" mean?

The phrase "passed around" means something is circulated or distributed among a group of people. It suggests an informal or social way of sharing.

How can I use "passed around" in a sentence?

You can use "passed around" to describe sharing physical objects, information, or even intangible things like blame. For example, "The photos were "passed around" at the party", or "The responsibility was "passed around" after the mistake".

What can I say instead of "passed around"?

You can use alternatives like "circulated among", "distributed to", or "shared with" depending on the context.

When is it inappropriate to use "passed around"?

Avoid using "passed around" in formal or technical contexts where more precise language is required. For example, in a scientific report, "The data were "passed around"" should be replaced with "The data were disseminated among the researchers".