passing back and forth

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing back and forth" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which two parties or people are exchanging something. For example, "Letters were passing back and forth between the two lawyers as they negotiated the terms of the deal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

As the pendulum moves, energy is continuously passing back and forth between the two forms.

Encyclopedia Britannica

People framed in the Leroy Street windows are eating at tables, talking soundlessly, passing back and forth.

The New Yorker

Then, when their thumbs tired of keeping up with the flood of chatter passing back and forth, a telephone call was arranged that stretched long into the night.

The New York Times

For about 40 minutes they played nonstop, drums and bass making a thick braid of clicking, limping, swinging, lurching rhythm, the pianists passing back and forth kernels of melody.

The New York Times - Arts

The reader hears the constant sound of familiar authors passing back and forth behind the scenes, like servants heading from the kitchen to the dining room in great English houses.

The New York Times

The student giving the presentation that week got up and went to the blackboard and sketched two nerve cells with ions passing back and forth across the synapse between them.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Customs passed back and forth.

The New York Times - Books

Helicopters bearing aid and supplies passed back and forth overhead.

The New Yorker

They passed back and forth on opposite courses.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Managers and employees must pass back and forth.

The Guardian - Business

The ant world is a tumult, a noisy world of pheromones being passed back and forth.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about abstract concepts, use "passing back and forth" to represent the interchange of ideas, information, or energy. This adds dynamism and clarity to your descriptions.

Common error

Avoid using "passing back and forth" when the action is not reciprocal or does not involve a clear exchange. If the action is one-directional, use a more appropriate phrase like "passing from one to another".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing back and forth" functions as a compound verb phrase indicating a reciprocal action or exchange. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to describe something moving or being exchanged between two points. Examples in Ludwig show it describing energy transfer in physics, as well as exchanges of information or objects.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Encyclopedias

13%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing back and forth" is a commonly used verb phrase that describes a reciprocal exchange or movement between two entities. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and suitable for various contexts. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news media, encyclopedias, and wiki sources, show its broad applicability. While alternatives like "exchanging to and fro" or "alternating back and forth" exist, "passing back and forth" provides a clear and direct way to convey the idea of a dynamic exchange. Remember to use it in contexts where there is a clear reciprocal action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alternating back and forth

Highlights the change or switch between two states or positions.

circulating between

Highlights the cyclical movement or exchange between two points.

exchanging to and fro

Emphasizes a reciprocal exchange or movement.

interchanging repeatedly

Underscores the repeated swapping or exchanging of something.

moving reciprocally

Emphasizes the mutual nature of the movement

shuttling between

Suggests a frequent and regular movement between two locations or entities.

traversing to and fro

Indicates movement in both directions over a certain distance.

relaying continuously

Focuses on the uninterrupted transfer of something.

reciprocating movements

Focuses on the mutual or corresponding nature of the movements.

trading places

Suggests a swap of positions or roles.

FAQs

How can I use "passing back and forth" in a sentence?

You can use "passing back and forth" to describe the exchange of something between two entities. For example, "The ball was "passing back and forth" between the players" or "Ideas were "passing back and forth" during the brainstorming session".

What are some alternatives to "passing back and forth"?

Some alternatives include "exchanging to and fro", "alternating back and forth", or "shuttling between", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "passing back and forth"?

While "back and forth" implies a reciprocal movement, using "passing" emphasizes the active exchange. The redundancy is minimal and often contributes to clarity, especially when describing a transfer or exchange.

What is the difference between "passing back and forth" and "moving back and forth"?

"Moving back and forth" describes the physical movement between two points, while "passing back and forth" typically implies that something is being exchanged or transferred during that movement.