Phrasal Verbs with “Pass” – A Comprehensive Guide for English Learners
Phrasal verbs are an essential part of English, and those with the verb “pass” are particularly useful in everyday communication. Below is a detailed breakdown of common phrasal verbs with “pass,” including their meanings, examples, and exercises to test your understanding.
1. Pass away
Meaning: To die (a polite or gentle way of saying it).
- His grandfather passed away last year after a long illness.
- She was devastated when her dog passed away suddenly.
- Many famous authors passed away before their works became widely recognized.
2. Pass out
Meaning: To faint or lose consciousness; also means to distribute something.
- He passed out from exhaustion after working for 24 hours straight.
- The teacher passed out the exam papers to the students.
- She passed out at the concert because of the heat.
3. Pass by
Meaning: To go past something or someone without stopping; also means to miss an opportunity.
- I saw him pass by my house but he didn’t stop to say hello.
- Don’t let this job opportunity pass by—apply now!
- Time passes by so quickly when you’re having fun.
4. Pass on
Meaning: To give something to someone else; also means to decline an offer.
- Could you pass on the message to John when you see him?
- She passed on the invitation because she was too busy.
- He passed on his old books to his younger brother.
5. Pass up
Meaning: To miss or refuse an opportunity.
- Don’t pass up the chance to study abroad—it’s a great experience.
- He passed up a high-paying job to pursue his passion.
- She regretted passing up the offer to invest in the company.
6. Pass over
Meaning: To ignore or skip someone for a promotion or opportunity.
- She felt upset when she was passed over for the promotion.
- The manager passed over his best employee for the project.
- He was passed over in favor of a less experienced candidate.
7. Pass through
Meaning: To go from one place to another, often briefly.
- We passed through several small towns on our road trip.
- The train passes through the mountains before reaching the city.
- He passed through a difficult phase in his life last year.
8. Pass down
Meaning: To give something (often knowledge or possessions) to the next generation.
- My grandmother passed down her recipes to me.
- Traditions are often passed down from parents to children.
- This watch was passed down to me by my father.
Exercises
Test your understanding of phrasal verbs with “pass” by completing the following exercises.
Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
Choose the correct phrasal verb from the list to complete the sentences.
- 1. She ___ the job offer because she wanted to travel. (passed on / passed out)
- 2. The teacher ___ the worksheets to the students. (passed out / passed by)
- 3. His grandfather ___ peacefully in his sleep. (passed away / passed up)
- 4. Don’t ___ this opportunity—it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance! (pass up / pass over)
- 5. He was ___ for the promotion despite his hard work. (passed over / passed down)
Exercise 2: Rewrite the Sentences
Replace the underlined words with the correct phrasal verb.
- 1. She declined the invitation to the party. → She ___ the invitation.
- 2. The old man died last night. → The old man ___ last night.
- 3. He fainted after running the marathon. → He ___ after running the marathon.
- 4. They distributed flyers at the event. → They ___ flyers at the event.
- 5. She gave her jewelry to her daughter. → She ___ her jewelry to her daughter.
Answer Key
Exercise 1 Answers:
- 1. passed on
- 2. passed out
- 3. passed away
- 4. pass up
- 5. passed over
Exercise 2 Answers:
- 1. passed on
- 2. passed away
- 3. passed out
- 4. passed out
- 5. passed down