to pass over

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pass over" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate the act of ignoring or omitting something, often in a discussion or narrative context. Example: "In his speech, he chose to pass over the controversial topics to maintain a positive atmosphere."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To pass over.

The New Yorker

The program acknowledgments, however, tend to pass over this.

The New York Times - Arts

You want to pass over my athletic prowess?

The New York Times

Then a cloud seemed to pass over their faces.

The New York Times

I'm now going to pass over to Tom Lutz.

The Guardian - Sport

SE of the city of Xiaojin, on road to pass over Jiajin Shan.

Harvard University

To pass over crimes of this magnitude without investigation seems the very definition of injustice.

The New Yorker

Hikers use natural stone steps to pass over and under waterfalls.

The New York Times - Travel

I am still careful to pass over unsavoury content and I avoid unmoderated forums.

The Guardian

"I thought it was going to pass over," Mr. Sheldon said.

The New York Times

But it doesn't, and editors instead tend to pass over his utterances in favour of something less soporific.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone you wish to convey. "To pass over" can suggest a conscious decision to avoid a topic, which can be useful for maintaining focus or avoiding controversy.

Common error

Avoid using "to pass over" when you mean 'to accidentally overlook'. This phrase implies intent, so if you simply missed something, use "to overlook" or a similar alternative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to pass over" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, indicating either a physical movement across something or, more commonly, the act of ignoring or skipping something. Ludwig provides examples across diverse contexts illustrating these functions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Academia

22%

Science

11%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrasal verb "to pass over" is a versatile expression with multiple meanings, primarily indicating either a physical movement or a deliberate act of omission. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It's essential to consider the context to discern whether it implies intentional avoidance or a simple overlooking. While the phrase is suitable for various registers, being most frequent in "News & Media" and "Academia", understanding its connotation helps prevent misinterpretations. Alternatives like "to skip over", "to omit", and "to overlook" can provide greater precision depending on the intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to skip over

Indicates a quick and deliberate omission, suggesting a focus on brevity.

to overlook

Emphasizes a failure to notice or consider something, often unintentionally.

to disregard

Suggests a conscious decision to ignore something, implying a lack of importance.

to omit

Focuses on the act of leaving something out, typically in writing or speech.

to bypass

Implies avoiding something, often to achieve a more efficient or direct route.

to gloss over

Indicates a superficial treatment of a topic, often to conceal problems or complexities.

to move past

Suggests progressing beyond a certain point, often in a metaphorical sense.

to transition across

Highlights a change or shift from one state or position to another.

to make light of

Emphasizes treating something seriously with humor or dismissiveness.

to not dwell on

Focuses on avoiding prolonged attention or contemplation on a specific subject.

FAQs

How can I use "to pass over" in a sentence?

You can use "to pass over" to indicate intentionally ignoring or skipping a topic, like in the sentence: "The speaker chose "to pass over" the controversial issues during the presentation".

What does it mean to "pass over" someone?

To "pass over" someone typically means to not select them for a job, promotion, or opportunity, often implying that other candidates were chosen instead.

What are some alternatives to "to pass over"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "to skip over", "to omit", or "to disregard".

Is it better to use "to pass over" or "to overlook"?

"To pass over" suggests a deliberate choice to ignore something, while "to overlook" implies failing to notice something. The best choice depends on whether the omission was intentional or accidental.