Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
passes
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "passes" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a verb which means to move past, to go past, or to move on. Example sentence: The runner passes the finish line with ease.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Sport
Opinion
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
Most immigrants contribute to society, most want to become good British citizens and most strike me as more like us with every rainy day that passes.
News & Media
He also acknowledges that the SDLP has suffered from being stereotyped as the Stormont psychiatrist, trying to encourage unionists and republicans alike to analyse their problems as each new nervous breakdown hits the peace process, but sometimes missing out on a share of the glory when the crisis passes.
News & Media
Perhaps, like me, you look at the party conferences and despair at the minute positioning that passes as politics.
News & Media
Friends and colleagues would assume I was sulking – fretful about the budget, the traffic or the possibility that David Beckham would end up trotting around a football pitch for one last medley of complaints to the referee, misplaced passes and light tapping of the ankles of agile opponents as they raced by our national icon.
News & Media
However, he saw limited playing time and threw two interceptions and no touchdowns, completing just 51.4% of his passes.
News & Media
A butterfly passes in the quavering grace of its flight.
News & Media
Peter Wilby's remark about Indians only being allowed to play cricket in India after a "prolonged struggle" (Sticky wickets, Review, 2 August) is an example of the freedom-struggle revisionism that now often passes for history on the Indian subcontinent.
News & Media
Talk of such negative experiences passes quickly through tight-knit ethnic communities in the UK and abroad.
News & Media
There was a time when I posed in bikinis, a time when I posed in exotic lingerie - and then the time passes.
News & Media
4. Can't people just read the Cabinet Manual (PDF), which is pretty clear on the rules? 5. Ed, speaking in 2010 makes it clear too, doesn't he? 6. Can we not all just agree, then, that a government is formed when a majority in the Commons passes a vote of confidence? 7. The SNP probably wouldn't dare to vote down a Labour Queen's Speech and therefore isn't Ed Miliband right to call their bluff?
News & Media
At the moment, Staples says, it's less about passes and more about scoring chances.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
When using "passes" to indicate the passage of time, ensure the subject and verb agree in number (e.g., "time passes" not "time pass").
Common error
Avoid using "pass" instead of "passes" when the subject is singular and in the third person. For example, it's "time passes quickly", not "time pass quickly".
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "passes" is as a verb, typically in the third-person singular present tense. It describes an action performed by a subject, such as moving past something or the progression of time. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it fits seamlessly into various sentence structures.
Frequent in
News & Media
80%
Sport
10%
Opinion
5%
Less common in
Travel
1%
Money
1%
Lifestyle
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "passes" functions primarily as a verb to indicate movement, approval, or the passage of time. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Sport, and Opinion contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, careful attention to subject-verb agreement is crucial, ensuring clarity and correctness in your writing. Consider alternatives like ""goes by"" or ""elapses"" depending on the intended meaning.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
goes by
Focuses on the progression of time rather than the action of passing.
elapses
Specifically refers to the amount of time that has passed.
progresses
Emphasizes the forward movement or development of something.
transpires
Emphasizes the occurrence or happening of something over time.
gets approved
Shifts the focus to the act of being approved, usually for laws or proposals.
moves onward
Highlights the continuation of a journey or process.
is ratified
Similar to approval, but often used in the context of formal agreements or treaties.
is sanctioned
Implies an official endorsement or authorization.
is given the green light
An idiomatic expression that signifies approval or permission.
ends
Focuses on the termination of a period or event.
FAQs
How can I use "passes" in a sentence?
What's a synonym for "passes" when referring to the passage of time?
When "passes" refers to the passage of time, synonyms include "goes by", "elapses", or "transpires".
Is it correct to say "the time pass" instead of "the time passes"?
No, it is not correct. The correct form is "the time "passes"". The verb must agree with the singular subject "time".
What can I say instead of "the bill passes"?
Alternatives to "the bill "passes"" include "the bill "gets approved"", "the bill "is ratified"", or "the bill "is sanctioned"", depending on the context.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
93%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested