passing comments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing comments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of making casual or informal remarks about something, often without deep consideration. Example: "During the meeting, several team members were passing comments about the new project proposal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

A lot of it is just passing comments, but it takes place at structural level too.

The Guardian

Listeners, however, are more likely to think of each sister in terms of particular segments or passing comments.

The New York Times - Arts

And there it is: the story we have not read yet on the Syrian war, but heard many passing comments on as we traveled Aleppo Province.

The New York Times

(The brief portrait of Dudley Williams, at 63 still performing with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, includes passing comments by this writer).

The New York Times - Arts

Director Sarah Frankcom skirts the issue by having the girls eavesdrop on the action throughout, passing comments that become amplified like Chinese whispers.

The Guardian

Though this rarely goes beyond chatting up, passing comments and staring, it can get wearing, and will be more intense for a solo traveller.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Tzekos left without passing comment.

Independent

But one passing comment demands correction.

The New York Times - Books

You might want to make that distinction before passing comment.

The Guardian - Film

Wayne Hemingway, designer Typically British is not to pass comment for the sake of passing comment - long live British irony.

The Guardian

But that passing comment — and debatable premise — is all she offers to explain Soviet policy.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing comments" to describe remarks that are brief, casual, and not intended to be deeply considered or analyzed.

Common error

Avoid using "passing comments" when the remarks in question have significant impact or were delivered with serious intent. In such cases, alternatives like "significant observations" or "critical feedback" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing comments" typically functions as a noun phrase. It describes the act of making casual, often brief remarks, without significant thought or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing comments" describes brief, casual remarks, often made without much thought or intention. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, the phrase carries a neutral register, suitable for describing informal communication or dismissing the importance of certain remarks. Alternatives like "casual remarks" or "brief observations" may be used to emphasize specific aspects of the comments. When using "passing comments", ensure the remarks are indeed casual and not of significant impact, as misinterpreting their weight is a common error.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

casual remarks

Focuses on the informality and lack of depth in the comments.

offhand comments

Indicates a lack of premeditation or seriousness in the comments.

brief observations

Highlights the concise nature of the comments, suggesting a quick assessment.

fleeting remarks

Emphasizes the temporary and quickly forgotten nature of the comments.

cursory remarks

Highlights the superficial and quick nature of the comments.

incidental remarks

Suggests that the comments are not central to the main topic of conversation.

quick asides

Focuses on the brevity and tangential nature of the comments.

throwaway lines

Implies that the comments are delivered casually and without much thought.

chance remarks

Emphasizes the accidental or unplanned nature of the comments.

hasty observations

Highlights the speed and lack of thoroughness in the comments.

FAQs

How to use "passing comments" in a sentence?

You can use "passing comments" to describe brief, often casual remarks. For example, "During the meeting, there were several "passing comments" about the new policy." It can also be used to diminish the importance of a comment, implying it wasn't deeply considered.

What can I say instead of "passing comments"?

You can use alternatives like "casual remarks", "brief observations", or "offhand comments" depending on the context. The best choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the informality, brevity, or lack of seriousness.

Which is correct, "passing comments" or "passed comments"?

"Passing comments" is the correct phrase to describe remarks made in passing or casually. "Passed comments" isn't a standard phrase in English; you might say something like "comments that were passed around" in some contexts, but that's different.

What's the difference between "passing comments" and "making a statement"?

"Passing comments" implies brief, often unplanned remarks. "Making a statement" suggests a more formal, deliberate, and usually more substantial declaration. One is casual, the other is intentional and often public.