to be passed over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to be passed over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something has been overlooked or not selected for a particular opportunity or recognition. Example: "Despite her qualifications, she felt disappointed to be passed over for the promotion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Want to know the two names who were apparently unluckiest to be passed over?

The Guardian - Sport

"I cannot in good conscience allow this matter to be passed over because the cleric has left my territory," Bishop Balke wrote.

The New York Times

Suffield was a car salesman who was about to be passed over for the top export job in his own firm.

The Guardian

"Blues in Orbit" tends to be passed over by those who feel Ellington reached his height in the early 40's; time will correct that.

The New York Times

The end of AIG's control stops damaging uncertainty over AIA's future, which has caused market share to fall in some places and opportunities to be passed over in others, notably Vietnam.

The Economist

And Rodriguez, having warmed up only to be passed over, proceeded to get into his argument with Niemann, which ended with other relievers separating the two, according to the members of the Mets' organization with knowledge of what occurred.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

19 human-written examples

That's why I found Anna Burke's honest, passionate, public disappointment in response to being passed over as chief opposition whip so refreshing.

The Guardian - Opinion

"And you are afraid that this will happen to you — that you will be passed over?" "Yes.

The New Yorker

But the deaths of Mike Brown, Eric Garner, Akai Gurley, Ramarley Graham, Ezell Ford, Kimani Gray, Oscar Grant, just to name a few, should not be passed over in silence.

Vice

In bringing back Mr. Stephanopoulos to "This Week," ABC appears to be passing over its White House correspondent, Jake Tapper, who earned strong reviews when he filled in on the program last year.

The New York Times

In comments on air, Mr. Letterman has often referred, jokingly, to being "passed over" at NBC.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to be passed over", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being missed or what opportunity is being lost. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "to be passed over" when an active construction would be more direct and clear. Overuse of the passive voice can make writing sound weak or evasive. For example, instead of 'The opportunity was passed over by the team', consider 'The team rejected the opportunity'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to be passed over" functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the performer. Ludwig AI shows the phrase in examples where someone or something is not selected or considered for a particular opportunity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to be passed over" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the experience of being overlooked or not selected for an opportunity. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it effectively conveys disappointment or a lack of recognition. While alternatives like "to be overlooked" or "to be skipped over" exist, "to be passed over" often implies a more deliberate decision. The phrase is versatile, fitting well within both formal and informal contexts, though careful consideration should be given to whether the passive voice is the most direct way to convey the intended meaning. Its frequency and usage across authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscore its established place in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to be overlooked

Focuses on being ignored or not noticed, similar to being passed over.

to be bypassed

Emphasizes the act of going around or avoiding something/someone.

to be skipped over

Suggests a deliberate act of omitting something, similar to overlooking.

to be left out

Highlights the exclusion from a group or opportunity.

to be disregarded

Stresses the lack of importance or attention given to something.

to be rejected

Implies an active decision against choosing someone/something.

to be turned down

Similar to 'rejected', but often used in the context of offers or applications.

to be non selected

A more formal way of saying 'not chosen'.

to be superseded

Implies being replaced by something considered better or more suitable.

to be displaced

Suggests being moved out of a position or place by another.

FAQs

How can I use "to be passed over" in a sentence?

You can use "to be passed over" to indicate that someone or something was not selected or considered for a particular opportunity or position. For example: "She was disappointed "to be passed over" for the promotion".

What is a more formal alternative to "to be passed over"?

A more formal alternative could be "to be non selected" or "to be disregarded", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use "to be passed over" or "to be overlooked"?

Both ""to be passed over"" and "to be overlooked" can be suitable depending on the context. "To be passed over" often implies a more deliberate choice, while "to be overlooked" suggests something was missed unintentionally.

What does it mean when someone says they "were passed over"?

When someone says they "were passed over", it typically means they were not chosen or selected for something they wanted, such as a job, promotion, or opportunity.