was not passed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was not passed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when saying that a proposal, bill, amendment, motion, or other measure was not adopted. For example: "The new anti-smoking law was not passed by the Senate."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The legislation was not passed.

The New York Times

The 1997 budget, for example, was not passed until June.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it was not passed because the two sides managed to negotiate a settlement.

The Economist

"It was not passed down by Beijing as far as I can tell," he said.

The New York Times

It was not passed by "Gunsmoke" and "Have Gun Will Travel".

The New York Times

Mr. Harper said that his government would resign if the softwood bill was not passed.

The New York Times

This information was not passed from prison services to intelligence agencies on his release.

The Guardian

Crucial information gleaned by negotiators was not passed to police marksmen, it was suggested.

The Guardian

However this information was not passed onto officers investigating her disappearance or to a police call-centre, Police Scotland said.

Independent

This information was not passed to the call handling centres nor was it passed to the inquiry team".

Independent

"Something nefarious might be afoot," an N.S.A. analyst wrote, but Mihdhar's name was not passed on to the F.B.I.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not passed", ensure the subject is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity about what did not receive approval or transmission. For example, specify if it's a bill, message, or piece of information.

Common error

Avoid using "was not passed" without a clear subject. Instead of saying "It was not passed", specify what "it" refers to, such as "The amendment was not passed" or "The message was not passed on".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not passed" primarily functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject did not undergo the action of being passed, approved, or transmitted. As Ludwig AI indicates, this construction is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

15%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was not passed" is a versatile phrase used to indicate that something didn't receive approval or wasn't successfully conveyed. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its usage spans formal reporting in news media to scientific and general discussions. For clarity, always ensure the subject is clearly defined. The phrase is commonly found in "News & Media", "Science", and "Wiki" sources, indicating its broad applicability. Remember to avoid vagueness by specifying what exactly "was not passed" to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to pass

Directly states the inability to meet the required standard for approval.

was not approved

Highlights the lack of official endorsement or permission.

was not enacted

Indicates that a proposed law or regulation did not come into effect.

was rejected

Emphasizes the act of refusal or disapproval.

did not get approval

Highlights the lack of success in obtaining the necessary authorization.

was not ratified

Specifically refers to the lack of formal confirmation or agreement, often in legal or political contexts.

did not go through

Focuses on the lack of progress or completion of a process.

was turned down

Informal way to indicate something was rejected.

was not disseminated

Emphasizes the lack of widespread distribution of information.

was not communicated

Focuses on the failure to transmit information effectively.

FAQs

What does "was not passed" mean?

The phrase "was not passed" means that something, such as a law, proposal, or piece of information, did not receive the necessary approval or was not successfully transmitted.

How can I use "was not passed" in a sentence?

You can use "was not passed" to describe a situation where a vote failed (e.g., "The bill "was not passed" by the Senate") or when information wasn't relayed (e.g., "The message "was not communicated" to the team").

What are some alternatives to "was not passed"?

Alternatives include "was rejected", "was not approved", "failed to pass", or "was not ratified", depending on the specific context.

Is it better to say "was not passed" or "failed to pass"?

Both "was not passed" and "failed to pass" are grammatically correct and often interchangeable. The choice depends on the desired emphasis; "failed to pass" might highlight the inability to meet a requirement, while "was not passed" is more neutral.