passing experience

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing experience" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to experiences that are temporary or fleeting. For example, "The passing experience of falling in love was bittersweet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I have only passing experience of how suffocating daily life in Iran can be for young adults with dreams.

The New York Times

For anyone with even passing experience of the tech industry, this show is a high-grade Proustian pot brownie.

The New Yorker

In the past few years, her work has expanded from the study of "normal" pain the everyday, passing experience of a stubbed toe or a burned tongue to the realm of chronic pain.

The New Yorker

See it as a passing experience and learn from it.

Huffington Post

On a much more serious note, depression can be a temporary passing experience or a deeply disturbing condition that may lead to suicide.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The key is knowing how to turn passing experiences into lasting inner resources built into our brains.

University of California, Berkeley

When it passes, experience the next breath.

WikiHow

Through a narrow annular space in the grid plate assembly of a prototype FBR, a very low leakage flow of liquid metal sodium should pass, experiencing a stipulated high pressure drop, and without much cavitation.

Nuclear Engineering and Design

Our stories are nothing more than false interpretations of our passed experiences and lies that we bought into about ourselves and the world around us.

Huffington Post

I am confident it is passing that experience on to its current crop of young officers in Sandhurst.

The Guardian - Opinion

We made occasional announced field visits in the more accessible locations, and used these to resolve any emerging problems, passing the experience to all other locations.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing experience" when you want to emphasize the temporary or non-impactful nature of an event. It suggests that the experience is not deeply felt or long-lasting.

Common error

Avoid using "passing experience" when you actually intend to convey a significant or deeply impactful event. "Passing experience" implies something fleeting and superficial, the opposite of profound.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing experience" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "passing" modifies the noun "experience". This describes a type of experience that is transient or not deeply impactful. As noted by Ludwig, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

21%

Science

18%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing experience" is a grammatically correct and usable term to describe a fleeting or temporary event, according to Ludwig. It's most commonly found in News & Media, Academia and Scientific contexts, with a generally neutral register. When using the phrase, ensure you're emphasizing the transient nature of the experience and not implying any deep or lasting impact. If you aim to convey an event's significance, avoid "passing experience" in favor of terms like "profound experience" or similar alternatives. While not exceedingly common, using "passing experience" effectively adds nuance to your writing by highlighting the ephemeral quality of an event.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting encounter

Emphasizes the brevity and transient nature of the experience.

transient episode

Highlights the temporary and short-lived aspect of the event.

brief interaction

Focuses on the short duration of the exchange or involvement.

short-lived event

Stresses the limited lifespan of the occurrence.

temporary exposure

Highlights the limited and non-permanent contact or involvement.

casual brush

Implies a light, superficial contact or interaction.

superficial contact

Underscores the lack of depth or meaningful connection.

momentary involvement

Highlights the very short duration of the engagement.

cursory acquaintance

Emphasizes the superficial and brief nature of the familiarity.

incidental encounter

Highlights the unplanned and chance nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "passing experience" in a sentence?

You can use "passing experience" to describe something that is temporary or not deeply impactful, such as "Depression can be a temporary "passing experience" or a deeply disturbing condition."

What's a good alternative to "passing experience"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "fleeting encounter", "transient episode", or "brief interaction".

When is it appropriate to use "passing experience"?

It is appropriate when you want to emphasize that an event or situation is temporary, not significant, or does not leave a lasting impact.

Is "passing experience" formal or informal?

"Passing experience" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, depending on the overall tone and style of the writing.