passed out

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed out" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to indicate that somebody has fainted or lost consciousness, usually due to an illness or some other medical issue. For example, "When I got to the party, I saw that one of my friends had passed out and was being tended to by the paramedics."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"She passed out".

The New York Times

He passed out several times.

The New York Times - Health

First, she passed out tissues.

The New York Times

He panicked... almost passed out".

The New York Times - Magazine

He passed out halfway through.

The New Yorker

Had the patient passed out?

The New York Times

I guess I passed out".

The New Yorker

Volunteers passed out water bottles.

The New York Times

I passed out briefly.

The New York Times - Health

She just passed out".

The New Yorker

"Jimmy had passed out," Joe said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a medical situation, consider using more formal alternatives like "lost consciousness" or "fainted" for clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid using "passed out" interchangeably with phrases like "passed away" (which means died). Ensure the context clearly indicates a temporary loss of consciousness.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passed out" is that of a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "passed" with the particle "out" to create a new meaning, usually indicating a loss of consciousness. This is supported by the examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

28%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "passed out" commonly describes a temporary loss of consciousness. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very frequently used, particularly in News & Media. While acceptable in most contexts, more formal alternatives such as "lost consciousness" might be preferred in academic or professional settings. Pay attention to the context to ensure it's not confused with similar-sounding phrases like "passed away". Remember, Ludwig is here to help you navigate the nuances of English grammar and usage!

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost consciousness

Replaces the idiomatic expression with a more direct and clinical term for losing consciousness.

fainted

A simpler, more common synonym for losing consciousness briefly.

blacked out

Another synonym for losing consciousness, often implying a sudden and temporary loss.

collapsed

Suggests a sudden falling down or loss of physical control due to losing consciousness.

fell unconscious

A more formal way of saying someone lost consciousness.

distributed

Focuses on the action of giving items to a group.

handed out

Similar to 'distributed', but implies a more casual or informal distribution.

gave out

Emphasizes the act of dispensing something to multiple people.

dealt out

Suggests a more structured or organized distribution.

yielded

Indicates a giving way or succumbing to something, not interchangeable in all contexts but applicable in scenarios where someone succumbs to exhaustion.

FAQs

What does "passed out" mean?

The phrase "passed out" typically means to lose consciousness temporarily, often due to a medical condition, exhaustion, or intoxication.

What can I say instead of "passed out"?

You can use alternatives like "fainted", "lost consciousness", or "blacked out" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "passed out" in formal writing?

While "passed out" is widely understood, it's generally more appropriate to use formal alternatives like "lost consciousness" in formal or professional writing.

How is "passed out" different from "passed away"?

"Passed out" refers to a temporary loss of consciousness, while "passed away" is a euphemism for death. It's crucial to use the correct phrase to avoid miscommunication.