Passed vs. Promoted: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.

Nov 20, 2023

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.

Nov 20, 2023

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.

Nov 20, 2023

"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.

Nov 20, 2023

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.

Nov 20, 2023

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Comparison Chart

Definition

Successfully complete or move beyond something

Advance in rank or position

Nov 20, 2023

Common Context

Academics, movement

Employment, advocacy

Nov 20, 2023

Nuance

Completion, moving beyond

Elevation, advancement

Nov 20, 2023

Connotation

Neutral, based on successful completion

Positive, based on recognition or capability

Nov 20, 2023

Grammatical Usage

Often used as a verb; can be used as an adjective

Primarily used as a verb; can be used as an adjectivec

Nov 20, 2023

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Passed and Promoted Definitions

Passed

Died.

My grandmother passed peacefully in her sleep.

Oct 10, 2023

Promoted

Endorsed or advocated for something.

He promoted the new policy vigorously.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

Approved or accepted, usually of legislation.

The bill passed the Senate unanimously.

Oct 10, 2023

Promoted

Encouraged the selling or awareness of a product.

The movie was heavily promoted across all platforms.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

Transferred from one to another.

He passed the ball to his teammate.

Oct 10, 2023

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Promoted

Elevated to a higher rank or position.

She was promoted to manager.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

To move on or ahead; proceed

The train passed through fields of wheat.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

Facilitated or enabled progress or growth.

Exercise promotes better health.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

To extend; run

The river passes through our land.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

Moved to a higher level of classification.

The species was promoted to its own genus.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

To move by or in front of something

The band passed and the crowd cheered.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To raise to a more important or responsible job or rank.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To move past another vehicle

The sports car passed on the right.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To advance (a student) to the next higher grade.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To gain passage despite obstacles

Pass through difficult years.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To contribute to the progress or growth of; further.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To move past in time; elapse

The days passed quickly.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To urge the adoption of; advocate

Promote a constitutional amendment.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be transferred from one to another; circulate

The wine passed around the table.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To attempt to sell or popularize by advertising or publicity

Commercials promoting a new product.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Sports) To transfer a ball or puck to a teammate.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

To help establish or organize (a new enterprise), as by securing financial backing

Promote a Broadway show.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be communicated or exchanged between persons

Loud words passed in the corridor.

Oct 08, 2023

Promoted

Simple past tense and past participle of promote

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be transferred or conveyed to another by will or deed

The title passed to the older heir.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To undergo transition from one condition, form, quality, or characteristic to another

Daylight passed into darkness.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To come to an end

My anger suddenly passed. The headache finally passed.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cease to exist; die. Often used with on

The patient passed on during the night.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To happen; take place

Wanted to know what had passed at the meeting.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be allowed to happen without notice or challenge

Let their rude remarks pass.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

Sports & Games To decline one's turn to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To decline an offer

When we offered him dessert, he passed.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To undergo an examination or a trial with favorable results.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To serve as a barely acceptable substitute

The spare tire was nearly bald but would pass until we bought a new one.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be accepted as a member of a group by denying one's own ancestry or background.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be approved or adopted

The motion to adjourn passed.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To make a decision

To pass upon a legal question.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To convey property to an heir or heirs

To pass according to the terms of the will.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Medicine) To be discharged from a bodily part

The patient had a lot of pain when the kidney stone passed.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Sports) To thrust or lunge in fencing.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To go by without stopping; proceed beyond or leave behind

The bus passed a gas station.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To go across; go through

We passed the border into Mexico.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To allow to go by or elapse; spend

He passed his winter in Vermont.

Oct 08, 2023

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.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To fail to pay (a dividend).

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To go beyond; surpass

The inheritance passed my wildest dreams.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To undergo (a trial or examination) with favorable results

She passed every test.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause or allow to go through a trial, test, or examination successfully

The instructor passed all the candidates.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to move

We passed our hands over the fabric.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to move into a certain position

Pass a ribbon around a package.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to move as part of a process

Pass liquid through a filter.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to go by

The sergeant passed his troops before the grandstand.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To allow to cross a barrier

The border guard passed the tourists.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Baseball) To walk (a batter).

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To maneuver (the bull) by means of a pase in bullfighting.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to be transferred from one to another; circulate

They passed the news quickly.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To hand over to someone else

Please pass the bread.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Sports) To transfer (a ball, for example) to a teammate, as by throwing.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To cause to be accepted; circulate fraudulently

Pass counterfeit money.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Law) To convey (property) to an heir or heirs

To pass an estate.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Medicine) To discharge (a waste product, for example) from a bodily part.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Medicine) To introduce (an instrument) into a bodily cavity.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To approve; adopt

The legislature passed the bill.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To be sanctioned, ratified, or approved by

The bill passed the House of Representatives.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

To pronounce; utter

Pass judgment.

Pass sentence on an offender.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

The act of passing; passage.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A way, such as a narrow gap between mountains, that affords passage around, over, or through a barrier.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A permit, ticket, or authorization to come and go at will.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A free ticket entitling one to transportation or admission.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

Written leave of absence from military duty.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A passing grade, especially when graded using a pass-fail grading system.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A sweep or run, as by an aircraft, over or toward an area or target.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A single complete cycle of operations, as by a machine or computer program.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A condition or situation, often critical in nature; a predicament

Contract negotiations that had come to an emotional pass.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A sexual invitation or overture

Was he making a pass at her?.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A motion of the hand or the waving of a wand

The magician made a pass over the hat.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Sports) A transfer of a ball or puck between teammates.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Sports) A lunge or thrust in fencing.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Baseball) A base on balls.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

Sports & Games A refusal to bid, draw, bet, compete, or play.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

(Games) A winning throw of the dice in craps.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

A pase in bullfighting.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

Simple past tense and past participle of pass

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

That has passed beyond a certain point (chiefly in set collocations).

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

That has passed a given qualification or examination; qualified.

Oct 08, 2023

Passed

Moved beyond in position or place.

She passed the other runners easily.

Oct 10, 2023

Passed

Successfully completed an examination or test.

He passed the final exam with flying colors.

Oct 10, 2023

FAQs

What does it mean if a bill "Passed" in Congress?

It means the bill was approved or accepted.

Nov 20, 2023

Is "Passed" only related to examinations?

No, "Passed" can refer to moving beyond any point, event, or challenge.

Nov 20, 2023

Does "Promoted" only apply to job ranks?

No, "Promoted" can mean advancing in many contexts, including advocating for ideas.

Nov 20, 2023

Can someone be "Promoted" in school?

Yes, it can mean advancing to the next grade level.

Nov 20, 2023

Can "Passed" indicate a physical movement?

Yes, as in "She passed the store."

Nov 20, 2023

Can products be "Promoted"?

Yes, promoting products means increasing their sales or awareness.

Nov 20, 2023

Can an event or cause be "Promoted"?

Yes, it means to champion or give visibility to that cause or event.

Nov 20, 2023

Can "Passed" mean someone has died?

Yes, it's a euphemistic way to say someone died.

Nov 20, 2023

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About Author

Written by

Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by

Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.