which was passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "which was passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to something that has been approved or accepted, often in the context of legislation or formal decisions. Example: "The new law, which was passed last week, aims to improve environmental protections."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But he ran to four clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

West rebid two clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

Almost every South opened four hearts, which was passed out.

The New York Times

North advanced with three clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

However, I settled for three spades, which was passed out.

The New York Times

He converted to two no-trump, which was passed out.

The New York Times

Jim Krekorian (East) rebid two hearts, which was passed out.

The New York Times

South overcalled one no-trump, which was passed out.

The New York Times - Arts

South continued with six clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

Gromov (South) converted to five clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

After two passes, South competed with three clubs, which was passed out.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "which was passed", ensure the context clearly indicates what entity or body did the passing (e.g., "The bill, which was passed by Congress, will...").

Common error

Avoid replacing "which" with "that" if the clause is nonrestrictive and provides additional, non-essential information. "Which" introduces nonrestrictive clauses set off by commas; "that" introduces restrictive clauses without commas.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "which was passed" functions as a nonrestrictive relative clause, providing additional, non-essential information about a noun. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing its use in various contexts, typically modifying nouns like "law", "bill", or "resolution."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "which was passed" is a commonly used relative clause, providing extra details about a noun, typically related to laws, resolutions, or decisions. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal writing. When using this phrase, remember to set it off with commas, as it introduces a nonrestrictive clause. Consider alternatives like "that was enacted" or "that was approved" for slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that was enacted

Replaces "passed" with "enacted" offering a more formal tone suitable for legal or official contexts.

that was approved

Substitutes "passed" with "approved", emphasizing the agreement or consent aspect of the action.

that was legislated

Replaces "passed" with "legislated", implying it was made into law.

that was ratified

Uses "ratified" instead of "passed", highlighting the formal validation or confirmation process.

that received approval

Changes the structure to emphasize the act of receiving approval rather than the action of passing.

that was adopted

Replaces "passed" with "adopted", suggesting acceptance and implementation of a proposal or idea.

that has been implemented

Focuses on the result - something being put into effect - instead of the action.

which came into effect

Rephrases the idea to focus on the commencement or activation of something, such as a law or policy.

which gained acceptance

Similar to 'received approval' but stresses the gaining of acceptance.

which secured passage

Focuses on the act of successfully navigating a process to be passed.

FAQs

How to use "which was passed" in a sentence?

Use "which was passed" to add extra information about a noun, setting it apart with commas. For example, "The law, "which was passed" last year, aims to reduce pollution".

What can I say instead of "which was passed"?

You can use alternatives like "that was enacted", "that was approved", or "that was ratified" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "that was passed" instead of "which was passed"?

While both "that" and "which" can introduce relative clauses, "which" is typically used for nonrestrictive clauses (adding extra information), while "that" is used for restrictive clauses (essential information). Use "which" with commas.

What's the difference between "which was passed" and "which came into effect"?

"Which was passed" refers to the action of something being approved or enacted. "Which came into effect" refers to the time when something starts to be operational or enforced.