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Grammar fix

pass away

die

to die, used as a more gentle or polite way to talk about someone’s death.

phrasal verbB1common

Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Her grandfather passed away peacefully last night.daily life
  • In my country, when someone passes away, families usually gather to remember them together.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: subject + pass away

WrongHe passed away from this world peacefully.

RightHe passed away peacefully.

'Pass away' already means die — don't add 'from this world'.

Patternsubject + pass away

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff My grandfather became deceased last year.

Natural My grandfather passed away last year.

'Pass away' is the gentle, normal euphemism; 'became deceased' isn't real English.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • pass away
    passed awaypeacefullypassed away last yearsadly

Don't confuse it

'Pass away' is softer and more polite than simply saying 'die'.

Try it in Daily Speak →