was being passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was being passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action that was ongoing in the past, particularly in passive constructions. Example: "During the meeting, the document was being passed around for everyone to review."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He was being passed over.

The New Yorker

This is what was being passed by.

The New York Times

For me, it was being passed by a cow in a half marathon.

The New York Times

The next, he was being passed over for the All-Star team.

The New York Times - Sports

I'd always eat down in the break room where the food was being passed out.

The New York Times

STJ says herself that she was being passed over in the workplace because of her sex.

Independent

Americans were shocked at the way money was being passed around for sly promotional services.

The New Yorker

A list of modelling agencies was being passed around at school.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

In 1875, a less stringent explosives Act was was passed.

The New Yorker

Tissues were being passed around.

The New York Times

These vital managers were being passed over.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was being passed" in passive voice constructions to emphasize the receiver of the action rather than the doer. For example: "The law was being passed by Congress."

Common error

Avoid using "was being passed" with plural subjects. Ensure the subject is singular and agrees with "was". For example, instead of "The documents was being passed", use "The document was being passed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was being passed" functions as a passive progressive construction, indicating an action that was in progress in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that the examples show its use in various contexts such as laws being enacted, items being circulated, or people being overlooked.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

16%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was being passed" is a versatile passive progressive construction used to describe ongoing actions in the past. Ludwig AI confirms that it is frequently found in news and media, academia, and scientific contexts. It signifies a process of transfer, transition, or overlooking, as seen in examples ranging from laws being enacted to items being circulated. When using this phrase, ensure subject-verb agreement and consider the appropriateness of the passive voice. Alternatives like "was getting transferred" or "was being handed over" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. Overall, "was being passed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was getting transferred

Replaces "passed" with "transferred", emphasizing the act of moving something from one place to another.

was being handed over

Substitutes "passed" with "handed over", highlighting the physical act of giving something.

was getting ignored

Replaces "passed" with "ignored", shifting the meaning to being overlooked or disregarded.

was being transmitted

Emphasizes the transmission of information or a disease.

was getting circulated

Highlights the widespread distribution of something.

was in the process of being transferred

Adds emphasis on the ongoing process of the transfer.

was being carried

Focuses on the physical act of carrying or conveying something.

was under consideration

Changes the focus to the act of evaluating or thinking about something.

was subject to transference

Highlights the act of transference.

was liable to be overlooked

Expresses the potential for something to be missed or disregarded.

FAQs

How can I use "was being passed" in a sentence?

You can use "was being passed" to describe an action happening in the past where something is being transferred or overlooked. For example: "The message "was being passed" from one person to another" or "He "was being passed over" for promotion."

What are some alternatives to "was being passed"?

Alternatives include phrases like "was getting transferred", "was getting circulated", or "was being handed over", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the passive voice with "was being passed"?

Use the passive voice when the action is more important than the actor, or when the actor is unknown. For example: "The bill "was being passed" in the Senate," where the focus is on the bill's progress rather than who is passing it.

What is the difference between "was being passed" and "was passed"?

"Was being passed" implies an ongoing action in the past, while "was passed" indicates a completed action. For instance, "The law "was being passed"" suggests the process was underway, whereas "The law was passed" means it has already been approved.