passing grade

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing grade" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to describe a grade that is sufficient to demonstrate a student's mastery of a certain course or subject. For example, "In order to get a diploma, I need to get a passing grade in my math class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

A passing grade on a practical exam for a crane operator's license started at $200, as did the passing grade for a crane inspection.

The New York Times

Nine of the 24 test takers fell short of the passing grade of 86.

The New York Times

We hope you'll cap the week with one more: a passing grade on this quiz.

The New Yorker

The passing grade on the math exam will rise to 65 for those entering ninth grade in fall 2001.

The New York Times

Beginning with students who entered in fall 2000, the passing grade on the English exam will be 65.

The New York Times

The original test score did not reliably predict a passing grade on the retest.

The Journal of Emergency Medicine

A minimum passing grade of 80% was required before moving on.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

I still gave her a barely passing grade.

Huffington Post

A Bronx Tale gets a passing grade, and might well prove a crowdpleaser; but Jersey Boys, it's not.

Huffington Post

Obtaining a passing grade on this test is one of the entry points to medical school.

WikiHow

The minimum passing grade for a local diploma is 55.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing academic results, use "passing grade" to clearly indicate that a student has met the minimum requirements for a course or exam. This term is widely understood and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

While "passing grade" is universally understood in education, it can sound out of place in other scenarios. For example, instead of saying a restaurant received a "passing grade" for its hygiene, consider "satisfactory" or "acceptable".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing grade" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object of a verb or preposition. It denotes the minimum acceptable level of performance on an assessment. Ludwig examples show its common use in describing academic and professional evaluations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing grade" is a common term used to describe the minimum acceptable score on an exam or evaluation. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently appears in various contexts, including news, science, and wikis, indicating its widespread use and understanding. While it is generally suitable for neutral to formal communication, it's essential to consider the context and choose alternative phrases like "satisfactory mark" or "qualifying score" for non-academic settings. Remember to use "passing grade" when you clearly want to state that a student has met minimal requirements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

satisfactory mark

Replaces "grade" with a synonym while keeping the meaning of meeting a minimum standard.

qualifying score

Emphasizes the aspect of meeting a requirement to qualify for something.

minimum acceptable score

More explicitly states the threshold for acceptance.

credit-worthy result

Focuses on the outcome being sufficient to earn credit or recognition.

acceptable performance level

Shifts the focus from a specific grade to the level of performance.

sufficient standard

A broader term that indicates a level that is adequate or enough.

competent level of achievement

Highlights the achievement aspect and indicates a demonstration of competence.

benchmark performance

Implies meeting a specific benchmark or standard of performance.

threshold for success

Emphasizes that reaching the grade is necessary to achieve success.

bare minimum

Focuses on achieving the lowest possible acceptable standard.

FAQs

How is "passing grade" used in a sentence?

You can use "passing grade" to describe achieving the minimum score required to pass a test, course, or evaluation. For example, "Students must achieve a "passing grade" to advance to the next level".

What's another way to say "passing grade"?

Alternatives to "passing grade" include "satisfactory mark", "qualifying score", or "minimum acceptable score", depending on the specific context.

What is generally considered a "passing grade"?

The specific score for a "passing grade" varies depending on the institution or context. Commonly, it's a C or 70%, but it can also be a D or 60% in some cases.

Is there a difference between a "passing grade" and a "good grade"?

Yes, a "passing grade" simply means you've met the minimum requirements, while a "good grade" indicates a higher level of achievement and understanding of the subject matter.