passing agreement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing agreement" is not commonly used in written English and may be unclear without context.
It could potentially be used in legal or formal contexts to refer to an agreement that is being approved or accepted, but it is not a standard expression. Example: "The parties reached a passing agreement on the terms of the contract, allowing them to move forward with the project."

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Then it should come to more than a passing agreement about which to pursue.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The health secretary, Jeremy Hunt, announced on Thursday that the contract would be imposed on junior doctors after a deadline to accept a "best and final" offer passed on Wednesday night passed without agreement.

The Guardian

However Obama is committed to passing the agreement through the Congress and Senate before his term ends.

The Guardian

No law can be passed without agreement between the two.

The Guardian

Both sides said passing the agreements would create thousands of jobs.

The New York Times

Obama's ambition was to have the Congress pass the agreement in its closing session this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

Instead, the OPCW mission was set up by a UN resolution passed after agreement between Russia and the US.

Independent

Sisi's statement came several hours after his ultimatum for Morsi to solve the political crisis had passed without agreement.

The Guardian

In a message to its members Friday, the union said its board would vote on whether to pass the agreement to the membership for ratification.

The New York Times

"If we pass this agreement as written, it says that we are going to the Bush policy of trickle-down economics for at least two more years.

The New York Times

Then Republicans, who claim to champion trade, refused to pass the agreement or extend assistance for workers until the administration moved to gain approval of the Colombia deal.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passing agreement", ensure the context clearly indicates the level of acceptance or approval being conveyed. Since it's not a standard phrase, clarity is key.

Common error

Avoid using "passing agreement" if the situation involves a firm, legally binding commitment. Opt for terms like "formal agreement" or "signed contract" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing agreement" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "passing" acts as a modifier describing the type of agreement. Although Ludwig AI describes it as uncommon, it still refers to an agreement that is in the process of being approved or considered.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing agreement" is a grammatically correct but uncommon phrase, as noted by Ludwig AI. It suggests an agreement that is in the process of being approved or accepted, but lacks formal weight. While its infrequent usage means it should be used with caution to ensure clarity, it appears primarily in news and professional contexts. Using alternatives like "tentative agreement" or "provisional agreement" may provide greater clarity. Ensure the context warrants its use, and consider whether a more established term would better convey the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

tentative agreement

Indicates an agreement that is not yet final or fully confirmed.

provisional agreement

Suggests an agreement that is temporary or conditional.

preliminary agreement

Implies an initial agreement that precedes a more formal or detailed one.

initial consensus

Highlights the early stages of reaching a common understanding.

conditional approval

Emphasizes that the agreement is subject to certain conditions being met.

acceptance in principle

Refers to agreement on the main idea but with details still to be worked out.

basic accord

Indicates a fundamental level of agreement.

general concurrence

Suggests a broad agreement on the matter.

superficial understanding

Implies a shallow level of agreement without deep commitment.

slight endorsement

Suggests a mild level of agreement, often with reservations.

FAQs

What does "passing agreement" mean?

"Passing agreement" is not a standard or widely recognized term. It typically suggests an agreement that is being approved or accepted, but it may lack formal weight or commitment. A "tentative agreement" or a "provisional agreement" might be more appropriate.

When is it appropriate to use "passing agreement"?

The term "passing agreement" might be appropriate in contexts where a preliminary or initial agreement is reached, but further steps are needed for it to become fully binding. However, using clearer terms like "preliminary agreement" or "initial consensus" is generally preferred to avoid ambiguity.

What are some alternatives to "passing agreement"?

Alternatives to "passing agreement" include "tentative agreement", "provisional agreement", "preliminary agreement", "initial consensus", or "acceptance in principle". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of commitment involved.

Is "passing agreement" grammatically correct?

Yes, "passing agreement" is grammatically correct, but it is not a common or well-established phrase. While grammatically sound, its uncommon usage can lead to confusion. Using more standard terms like "tentative agreement" is advisable for clearer communication.