pass-fail basis

Meaning

A pass-fail basis is a grading system where a student receives either a 'pass' (credit earned) or a 'fail' (no credit earned) instead of a traditional letter grade or percentage. This option is often chosen by students who want to take a challenging elective course without risking a drop in their GPA. The tone is neutral and informative.

Examples

• I decided to take the advanced art history course on a pass-fail basis.

  I decided to take the advanced art history course on a pass-fail basis.

• Courses taken on a pass-fail basis do not affect your overall GPA.

  Courses taken on a pass-fail basis do not affect your overall GPA.

• The university allows students to take up to two classes on a pass-fail basis.

  The university allows students to take up to two classes on a pass-fail basis.

• You must register for the course on a pass-fail basis before the third week of class.

  You must register for the course on a pass-fail basis before the third week of class.

• Because she took the class on a pass-fail basis, she felt much less stressed about the exams.

  Because she took the class on a pass-fail basis, she felt much less stressed about the exams.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I took the exam on a pass or fail base.

  ✓ I took the exam on a pass-fail basis.

  The correct collocation is 'pass-fail basis' (singular, hyphenated, and ending in 'basis', not 'base').

• ✗ She is studying this course in a pass-fail way.

  ✓ She is taking this course on a pass-fail basis.

  Use the preposition 'on' and the standard phrase 'pass-fail basis' rather than 'in a ... way'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Since this elective is so difficult, I'm taking it on a ___.

  💡 A system with no letter grades, only pass or fail.

  Show answer

  pass-fail basis

• You cannot take major-specific requirements on a ___.

  💡 The grading option that doesn't impact GPA.

  Show answer

  pass-fail basis