Meaning & use
passing grade
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Meanings
nouncountable
A score or mark that is high enough for a student to pass a test, course, or class.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a passing grade' or 'passing grades'. Often followed by 'in': a passing grade in math.
Patterns
- a passing grade in something
- get/receive a passing grade
- a passing grade of X percent
She studied all weekend and finally got a passing grade in chemistry.
In this course, 60 percent is the lowest passing grade.
Students who do not earn a passing grade must take the test again.
nouncountablefigurative
A level of quality or performance that is good enough to be accepted.
Grammar: Used figuratively for work, plans, or behavior rather than school marks.
Patterns
- give something a passing grade
- a passing grade for something
The report was weak, but the committee gave it a passing grade.
Most critics gave the new restaurant only a passing grade.
Word forms
| plural | passing grades |
|---|
Common combinations
- get a passing grade
- He worked hard and got a passing grade in history.
- earn a passing grade
- You must earn a passing grade to move to the next level.
- a passing grade in math
- A passing grade in math is required for the program.
- the minimum passing grade
- The minimum passing grade for the exam is 70.
- receive a passing grade
- All the students received a passing grade this term.
Synonyms and how they differ
- pass mark
- More common in British English and usually refers to one exam, while 'passing grade' often refers to a whole course.
- pass
- Informal and shorter; 'a pass' means the same result, but 'passing grade' names the actual score.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: passing grade or grade point average?
passing grade vs grade point average
A grade point average is the average of all your grades, not the single score needed to pass.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'passing grade' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'A passing grade in a subject' is the standard pattern, so option 1 fits. 'Make a passing grade' is not used in standard English, and 'to/on/of biology' do not fit the fixed pattern 'in biology'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “passing grade”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.