Passed vs. Promoted: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Updated on November 22, 2023
Key Differences
"Passed" and "Promoted" serve as indicators of progression, albeit in slightly varied contexts. "Passed" typically implies that one has successfully navigated through or beyond an event, challenge, or point in time. For example, when students meet the required standards in an examination, they are said to have "passed." "Promoted", on the other hand, usually alludes to an elevation in status or position, as when an employee ascends to a higher rank within a company.
In academic settings, "Passed" often refers to the successful completion of an exam or grade level. Students who achieve the requisite marks have "passed" their tests. "Promoted" in this context might refer to students advancing to the next grade, emphasizing the progression aspect rather than mere completion.
Similarly, in the context of traffic or movement, "Passed" can describe the action of going by something, like when one car "passed" another on the highway. "Promoted", while less commonly associated with movement, could be used metaphorically, suggesting an idea or agenda being pushed forward or advanced.
"Passed" also finds its relevance in legislative contexts. When a bill is "passed", it means it has successfully navigated the necessary checks and procedures. "Promoted", in a parallel legislative setting, could denote championing or advancing a certain cause or agenda, giving it more visibility and importance.
Lastly, in personal or recreational scenarios, "Passed" might denote the completion of a task or challenge, like "passed" a tough level in a game. "Promoted", on the other hand, could refer to the elevation of status or importance, such as when a person is "promoted" to a leadership role in a community group.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Successfully complete or move beyond something
Advance in rank or position
Common Context
Academics, movement
Employment, advocacy
Nuance
Completion, moving beyond
Elevation, advancement
Connotation
Neutral, based on successful completion
Positive, based on recognition or capability
Grammatical Usage
Often used as a verb; can be used as an adjective
Primarily used as a verb; can be used as an adjectivec
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Passed and Promoted Definitions
Passed
Died.
My grandmother passed peacefully in her sleep.
Promoted
Endorsed or advocated for something.
He promoted the new policy vigorously.
Passed
Approved or accepted, usually of legislation.
The bill passed the Senate unanimously.
Promoted
Encouraged the selling or awareness of a product.
The movie was heavily promoted across all platforms.
Passed
Transferred from one to another.
He passed the ball to his teammate.
Promoted
Elevated to a higher rank or position.
She was promoted to manager.
Passed
To move on or ahead; proceed
The train passed through fields of wheat.
Promoted
Facilitated or enabled progress or growth.
Exercise promotes better health.
Passed
To extend; run
The river passes through our land.
Promoted
Moved to a higher level of classification.
The species was promoted to its own genus.
Passed
To move by or in front of something
The band passed and the crowd cheered.
Promoted
To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank.
Passed
To move past another vehicle
The sports car passed on the right.
Promoted
To advance (a student) to the next higher grade.
Passed
To gain passage despite obstacles
Pass through difficult years.
Promoted
To contribute to the progress or growth of; further.
Passed
To move past in time; elapse
The days passed quickly.
Promoted
To urge the adoption of; advocate
Promote a constitutional amendment.
Passed
To be transferred from one to another; circulate
The wine passed around the table.
Promoted
To attempt to sell or popularize by advertising or publicity
Commercials promoting a new product.
Passed
(Sports) To transfer a ball or puck to a teammate.
Promoted
To help establish or organize (a new enterprise), as by securing financial backing
Promote a Broadway show.
Passed
To be communicated or exchanged between persons
Loud words passed in the corridor.
Promoted
Simple past tense and past participle of promote
Passed
To be transferred or conveyed to another by will or deed
The title passed to the older heir.
Passed
To undergo transition from one condition, form, quality, or characteristic to another
Daylight passed into darkness.
Passed
To come to an end
My anger suddenly passed. The headache finally passed.
Passed
To cease to exist; die. Often used with on
The patient passed on during the night.
Passed
To happen; take place
Wanted to know what had passed at the meeting.
Passed
To be allowed to happen without notice or challenge
Let their rude remarks pass.
Passed
Sports & Games To decline one's turn to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.
Passed
To decline an offer
When we offered him dessert, he passed.
Passed
To undergo an examination or a trial with favorable results.
Passed
To serve as a barely acceptable substitute
The spare tire was nearly bald but would pass until we bought a new one.
Passed
To be accepted as a member of a group by denying one's own ancestry or background.
Passed
To be approved or adopted
The motion to adjourn passed.
Passed
To make a decision
To pass upon a legal question.
Passed
To convey property to an heir or heirs
To pass according to the terms of the will.
Passed
(Medicine) To be discharged from a bodily part
The patient had a lot of pain when the kidney stone passed.
Passed
(Sports) To thrust or lunge in fencing.
Passed
To go by without stopping; proceed beyond or leave behind
The bus passed a gas station.
Passed
To go across; go through
We passed the border into Mexico.
Passed
To allow to go by or elapse; spend
He passed his winter in Vermont.
Passed
To go by without paying attention to; disregard or ignore
If you pass the new photographs in the collection, you'll miss some outstanding ones.
Passed
To fail to pay (a dividend).
Passed
To go beyond; surpass
The inheritance passed my wildest dreams.
Passed
To undergo (a trial or examination) with favorable results
She passed every test.
Passed
To cause or allow to go through a trial, test, or examination successfully
The instructor passed all the candidates.
Passed
To cause to move
We passed our hands over the fabric.
Passed
To cause to move into a certain position
Pass a ribbon around a package.
Passed
To cause to move as part of a process
Pass liquid through a filter.
Passed
To cause to go by
The sergeant passed his troops before the grandstand.
Passed
To allow to cross a barrier
The border guard passed the tourists.
Passed
(Baseball) To walk (a batter).
Passed
To maneuver (the bull) by means of a pase in bullfighting.
Passed
To cause to be transferred from one to another; circulate
They passed the news quickly.
Passed
To hand over to someone else
Please pass the bread.
Passed
(Sports) To transfer (a ball, for example) to a teammate, as by throwing.
Passed
To cause to be accepted; circulate fraudulently
Pass counterfeit money.
Passed
(Law) To convey (property) to an heir or heirs
To pass an estate.
Passed
(Medicine) To discharge (a waste product, for example) from a bodily part.
Passed
(Medicine) To introduce (an instrument) into a bodily cavity.
Passed
To approve; adopt
The legislature passed the bill.
Passed
To be sanctioned, ratified, or approved by
The bill passed the House of Representatives.
Passed
To pronounce; utter
Pass judgment.
Pass sentence on an offender.
Passed
The act of passing; passage.
Passed
A way, such as a narrow gap between mountains, that affords passage around, over, or through a barrier.
Passed
A permit, ticket, or authorization to come and go at will.
Passed
A free ticket entitling one to transportation or admission.
Passed
Written leave of absence from military duty.
Passed
A passing grade, especially when graded using a pass-fail grading system.
Passed
A sweep or run, as by an aircraft, over or toward an area or target.
Passed
A single complete cycle of operations, as by a machine or computer program.
Passed
A condition or situation, often critical in nature; a predicament
Contract negotiations that had come to an emotional pass.
Passed
A sexual invitation or overture
Was he making a pass at her?.
Passed
A motion of the hand or the waving of a wand
The magician made a pass over the hat.
Passed
(Sports) A transfer of a ball or puck between teammates.
Passed
(Sports) A lunge or thrust in fencing.
Passed
(Baseball) A base on balls.
Passed
Sports & Games A refusal to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.
Passed
(Games) A winning throw of the dice in craps.
Passed
A pase in bullfighting.
Passed
Simple past tense and past participle of pass
Passed
That has passed beyond a certain point (chiefly in set collocations).
Passed
That has passed a given qualification or examination; qualified.
Passed
Moved beyond in position or place.
She passed the other runners easily.
Passed
Successfully completed an examination or test.
He passed the final exam with flying colors.
FAQs
What does it mean if a bill "Passed" in Congress?
It means the bill was approved or accepted.
Is "Passed" only related to examinations?
No, "Passed" can refer to moving beyond any point, event, or challenge.
Does "Promoted" only apply to job ranks?
No, "Promoted" can mean advancing in many contexts, including advocating for ideas.
Can someone be "Promoted" in school?
Yes, it can mean advancing to the next grade level.
Can "Passed" indicate a physical movement?
Yes, as in "She passed the store."
Can products be "Promoted"?
Yes, promoting products means increasing their sales or awareness.
Can an event or cause be "Promoted"?
Yes, it means to champion or give visibility to that cause or event.
Can "Passed" mean someone has died?
Yes, it's a euphemistic way to say someone died.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
