was able to pass

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was able to pass" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone successfully achieved something, often after overcoming obstacles or challenges. Example: "After studying hard for weeks, she was able to pass the exam with flying colors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was slipstreaming Rubens and was able to pass".

The New York Times - Sports

The police moved forward to help the man and he was able to pass.

The New York Times

The local utility was able to pass most of this bill on to its customers.

The Economist

"I was able to pass mostly because of my mouth," Mr. Young said.

The New York Times

So my impersonator was able to pass himself off fairly easily as "Andy Hamilton, comedy writer".

The Guardian

I'd like to think I was able to pass on little bits too.

The Guardian - Sport

But that bill was able to pass because legislators were able to work across the aisle and compromise.

The New York Times

"It was a very productive two days and I was able to pass the rookie test," Mutoh said.

The New York Times - Sports

With a Danish passport, he was able to pass on the hereditary perk to his two UK-born sons.

The Guardian - Business

This actually is proof that the poison was able to pass the blood-brain barrier," Abdo said.

The New Yorker

But it was able to pass the Republican-dominated House shortly after 10pm only with the support of Democrats.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was able to pass" to clearly convey the successful completion of a task, test, or movement, especially when there was a potential obstacle or challenge involved.

Common error

Avoid using "was able to pass" when a simple past tense verb like "passed" is more concise and appropriate. Overusing the longer phrase can make your writing sound wordy. For example, instead of "He was able to pass the test", consider simply writing "He passed the test".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was able to pass" functions as a verbal phrase indicating the ability and successful completion of an action. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is a common and correct phrase used to describe someone's capability and accomplishment. Examples from Ludwig showcase its diverse usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

19%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was able to pass" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression indicating the successful completion of an action or the overcoming of an obstacle. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. As demonstrated by numerous examples, it appears commonly in News & Media, Wiki and Science contexts, conveying information about achievements across various domains. When writing, it's important to use this phrase when you want to emphasize both the ability and the successful outcome, but avoid overuse when a simpler past tense verb would suffice. Alternatives like "managed to pass" or "succeeded in passing" can be used for variety, depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

managed to pass

Emphasizes the effort or skill involved in achieving the passage.

succeeded in passing

Highlights the successful outcome of the attempt to pass.

was successful in passing

Adds emphasis to the successful nature of the act of passing.

could pass

Indicates the potential or possibility of passing, rather than a definite achievement.

achieved passage

Focuses on the attainment of passage as a formal accomplishment.

overcame and passed

Highlights the overcoming of an obstacle as a precursor to passing.

proved capable of passing

Emphasizes demonstrated ability or skill in achieving passage.

navigated through

Implies maneuvering through a challenging or complex situation.

was permitted to pass

Indicates that permission or authorization was granted for passage.

cleared

A concise way of saying something has been passed, often used for obstacles or tests.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "was able to pass"?

You can use alternatives like "managed to pass", "succeeded in passing", or "could pass" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "was able to passed"?

No, "was able to passed" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "was able to pass". The word "pass" should be in its base form after "to".

How do I use "was able to pass" in a sentence?

Use "was able to pass" to indicate that someone or something successfully completed an action or overcame an obstacle. For example: "The bill "was able to pass" because legislators compromised".

What's the difference between "was able to pass" and "managed to pass"?

Both phrases indicate successful completion, but "managed to pass" often implies that the task was challenging or required effort. "Was able to pass" is a more general statement of capability or successful action.