pass away

Meaning

This is a polite, gentle, and respectful way to say that someone has died. It is a euphemism used to avoid the harshness of the word 'die,' especially when offering condolences or talking to grieving family members.

Examples

• My grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.

  My grandfather passed away peacefully in his sleep last night.

• We were so sad to hear that their beloved dog passed away.

  We were so sad to hear that their beloved dog passed away.

• He passed away at the age of eighty-five after a long illness.

  He passed away at the age of eighty-five after a long illness.

• She wanted to visit her childhood home before she passed away.

  She wanted to visit her childhood home before she passed away.

• Our thoughts are with you after your uncle passed away.

  Our thoughts are with you after your uncle passed away.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ His grandmother passed out last week.

  ✓ His grandmother passed away last week.

  'Pass out' means to faint or lose consciousness temporarily, whereas 'pass away' means to die.

• ✗ I was sorry to hear that your father was passed away.

  ✓ I was sorry to hear that your father passed away.

  'Pass away' is an active, intransitive verb and should not be used in the passive voice with 'was'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• After battling illness for years, the famous actor ___ this morning.

  💡 Died (polite form, past tense).

  Show answer

  passed away

• It's always incredibly difficult when a close relative ___.

  💡 Dies (polite form, present tense).

  Show answer

  passes away