passing the course

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing the course" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to successfully completing a course or class in an educational context. Example: "After studying hard all semester, I was relieved to find out that I was passing the course."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

He has been passing the course with flying colors ever since.

The New York Times - Sports

Passing the course is crucial for the student, but the excuse for lateness is not as serious as the precedents.

Harvard University

These courses require students to devote a sustained effort during the whole course and a failure to do so may contribute to not passing the course.

Computers & Education

He ended up passing the course because others at the fire department offered him extra help — a gesture that built trust.

The Washington Post

Overall, the course was administered to 1,083 Cambodian providers during a 27-month period, with 947 attending the entire course and passing the course completion exam.

Stanford University

Passing the course can give academic "credits" for a higher degree, and if so it should be possible to take other courses after that to add to your credits.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Active learners who completed homework assignments and watched videos frequently have significantly shown higher rates of passing the courses than the others.

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

I passed the course.

The New Yorker

He passed the course.

The Guardian

Everyone passes the course".

The New York Times

About 7,000, or 5percentt, passed the course.

MIT Technology Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your vocabulary by using synonyms such as "completing the course" or "succeeding in the course" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Don't use "passing the course" when you mean to convey outstanding performance. While "passing the course" simply means meeting the minimum requirements, "excelling in the course" implies a much higher level of achievement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "passing the course" is as a verbal phrase. It typically serves as the predicate of a clause, describing the action of successfully completing a course. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

36%

News & Media

32%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing the course" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that signifies the successful completion of an academic course by meeting the minimum requirements. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in academic, news, and scientific contexts, with a neutral register. While synonymous alternatives like "completing the course" and "succeeding in the course" exist, understanding the nuances of each can enhance the clarity and precision of your writing. Avoid confusing "passing" with "excelling" to accurately represent the level of achievement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completing the course

Focuses on the action of finishing the course rather than just achieving a passing grade.

finishing the course successfully

Combines the idea of completion with a positive outcome.

succeeding in the course

Emphasizes overall success and high achievement in the course.

achieving a passing grade

Specifically mentions the grade received as the indicator of success.

earning credit for the course

Highlights the acquisition of academic credit upon successful completion.

getting through the course

Suggests overcoming difficulties and challenges to finish the course.

clearing the course

Similar to 'getting through', implies navigating obstacles to complete the course.

excelling in the course

Implies outstanding performance and achievement.

mastering the course material

Highlights the deep understanding of the subject matter.

acquiring course competencies

Focuses on the skills and knowledge gained from the course.

FAQs

What does "passing the course" mean?

"Passing the course" means successfully completing a course with a grade that meets the minimum requirements for credit. It indicates that a student has demonstrated sufficient understanding of the material to earn a passing grade.

What can I say instead of "passing the course"?

You can use alternatives like "completing the course", "succeeding in the course", or "achieving a passing grade" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "passing the course" formal or informal?

"Passing the course" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, for very formal writing, consider more precise alternatives like "successfully completing the curriculum".

What's the difference between "passing the course" and "mastering the course material"?

"Passing the course" indicates meeting the minimum requirements to receive credit, while "mastering the course material" implies a thorough and deep understanding of the subject matter, often exceeding basic requirements.