passes the test

USAGE SUMMARY

'passes the test' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone or something has met a standard or requirement. For example: "The student passes the test with flying colors and is ready to move on to the next grade level."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Suozzi, he always passes the test.

The New York Times

"We hope it passes the test".

The New York Times

I doubt that this idea passes the test.

Columbia University

And, by and large, Smith passes the test.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Ms. Wagner's direction, despite some stiff moments, passes the test.

The New York Times - Arts

Despite its generally saturnine mood, this one passes the test.

The New Yorker

"I think that passes the test of reasonableness," he said.

The New York Times

Good information design always passes the test of time.

The Economist

A packaging passes the test if there is no leakage of helium.

Cornell University

A packaging passes the test if there is no leakage of air from the packaging.

Cornell University

If the driver passes the test, the stored presets come into play.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal assessment, use ""passes the test"" to clearly indicate that the subject met the necessary criteria for success.

Common error

Avoid using ""passes the test"" in overly casual situations where simpler phrases like "is good" or "works well" would be more appropriate. The phrase carries a connotation of formal assessment or rigorous standards.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passes the test" functions as a predicate within a sentence, asserting that a subject has successfully fulfilled specific requirements or criteria. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and frequent usage across diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Academia

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passes the test" is a common and versatile expression indicating successful completion or meeting of standards. As Ludwig AI explains, it's grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While "passes the test" is generally neutral in register, it's best to avoid overusing it in overly casual situations. Consider alternatives like "meets the criteria" or "satisfies the requirements" for a more formal tone, or "makes the grade" for a more informal tone. Remember to use "passes" with singular subjects and "pass" with plural subjects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfies the requirements

Highlights the fulfillment of necessary conditions.

meets the criteria

Emphasizes adherence to specific, defined benchmarks.

makes the grade

A more colloquial way of saying something has achieved the required level.

measures up

Implies a comparison to a required level or expectation.

is up to snuff

A colloquial expression meaning something is good enough or meets the required standard.

comes up to par

Suggests that something has reached the expected standard of quality.

holds up to scrutiny

Focuses on withstanding careful examination or evaluation.

withstands the test of time

Implies endurance and continued relevance over a long period.

proves its worth

Indicates that something has demonstrated its value or effectiveness.

endures evaluation

Focuses on the endurance of something that has been through an evaluation process

FAQs

What does "passes the test" mean?

The phrase "passes the test" means that someone or something has successfully met a set of criteria, standards, or requirements.

How can I use "passes the test" in a sentence?

You can use "passes the test" to indicate successful completion or meeting of standards, such as "The new product "passes the test" for safety regulations".

What can I say instead of "passes the test"?

You can use alternatives like "meets the criteria", "satisfies the requirements", or "makes the grade" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "pass the test" or "passes the test"?

"Pass the test" is the base form, used with plural subjects (e.g., "They pass the test"). "Passes the test" is used with singular subjects (e.g., "He passes the test").