passing money

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing money" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where money is being transferred or exchanged, often informally. Example: "He was caught passing money under the table during the transaction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

FINANCE, THE ADAGE goes, is the art of passing money from hand to hand until it finally disappears.

The Economist

This is because the Levy is the most efficient way of passing money from the betting industry to the sport.

The Guardian - Sport

An 11th suspect, Christopher Metsos, was arrested in Cyprus, accused of passing money to the other 10 over several years.

The Guardian

To avoid passing money to Planned Parenthood, the state also ended competitive bidding for federal family planning grants, giving priority to public agencies.

The New York Times

They are charged with inflating the company's revenue through a practice known as round-tripping, essentially passing money through other companies to get it back as sales.

The New York Times

Cameron said parents should not be embarrassed about passing money on to their children, and insisted it was something "fully recognised" in the tax system.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

The other advantage comes from using sophisticated trusts that pass money on to heirs.

The New York Times

After that, he said, he passed money and messages to her through her grandparents.

The Guardian

Every once in a while, someone would pass money through the window.

The New York Times

Can you please tell me: how else can I pass money to my children?

The Guardian - Opinion

He passed money around to everybody," said John Vogt, 47, a member of the post.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passing money" in formal writing, consider whether a more precise term like "transferring funds" or "remitting payment" would be more appropriate.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who is "passing money" to whom and for what purpose. Without sufficient context, the phrase can be vague.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing money" functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It describes the action of transferring or exchanging funds. Ludwig examples show it used to describe both legal and illicit transfers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing money" is a grammatically correct gerund phrase used to describe the act of transferring funds. Ludwig AI indicates its usage is neutral, though the level of formality can shift based on context. It is most commonly found in news and media, with scientific and formal/business contexts also present. When writing, consider whether a more precise term might be preferable for clarity. Be aware the "passing money" has to whom and for what purpose avoids ambiguity. Alternatives include "transferring funds" or "exchanging currency", depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transferring funds

Focuses on the formal or official movement of money between accounts or entities.

exchanging currency

Specifically refers to the conversion of money from one country's currency to another.

handing over money

Emphasizes the physical act of giving money to someone.

funneling money

Suggests a directed or channeled movement of funds, often for a specific purpose.

routing funds

Implies a specific path or system through which money is directed.

channeling money

Similar to funneling, but may suggest a less formal or structured approach.

relaying money

Highlights the act of passing money as an intermediary or messenger.

circulating money

Focuses on the broader movement of money within an economy or system.

distributing funds

Implies spreading money out among multiple recipients.

transmitting money

Highlights the sending of money, often electronically or over a distance.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing money" to describe the act of transferring funds from one party to another. For example, "The investigation revealed individuals were "passing money" to offshore accounts."

What are some alternatives to "passing money"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "transferring funds", "exchanging currency", or "remitting payment".

What's the difference between "passing money" and "transferring funds"?

"Passing money" often suggests a more informal or even secretive transfer, while "transferring funds" implies a more formal and official process.

Is "passing money" too informal for business writing?

While "passing money" is understandable, in formal business writing, it's often better to use more precise and professional terms like "transferring funds", "making a payment", or "remitting funds".