pass away

die (a polite way to say someone has died)

B1

What does "pass away" mean?

"Pass away" is a gentle, polite way to say that someone has died. It is used when people want to be sensitive and respectful, especially when speaking to or about someone who has lost a loved one. You will often hear it in condolence messages, obituaries, and news reports about public figures. It is considered more caring than simply saying "die," and it works in both spoken and written English. Native speakers choose "pass away" when the situation calls for kindness and tact rather than plain, direct language.

Examples

How to use it

subject + pass away

This is the basic pattern. The subject is always the person who died — no object follows the verb.

Her uncle passed away last winter after a short illness.

subject + pass away + adverb/adverb phrase

Adverbs like 'peacefully', 'suddenly', or 'unexpectedly' are very commonly added to give more detail about the circumstances.

The former prime minister passed away peacefully at his home on Saturday morning.

subject + pass away + after + noun phrase

A phrase beginning with 'after' is often used to explain what led to the death.

She passed away after a long battle with illness, aged 78.

subject + pass away + at the age of + number

This pattern is especially common in formal announcements and obituaries to state how old the person was.

The celebrated author passed away at the age of 91, surrounded by her family.

subject + have/has + passed away

The present perfect is used when announcing or reporting a death with a connection to the present moment.

We are deeply sorry to hear that your grandfather has passed away.

Common Collocations

pass away peacefullypass away suddenlypass away after a long illnesspass away in her/his sleeppass away at the age ofpass away surrounded by family

Common Mistakes

Using it as a transitive verb

"Pass away" never takes an object. The person who died must be the subject of the sentence, not the object after the verb.

✗ She passed away her grandmother last year.
✓ Her grandmother passed away last year.
Confusing it with 'pass on'

'Pass on' can also mean to die, but it has a second, very different meaning — to give or relay something to someone else (e.g. 'pass on a message'). 'Pass away' only ever refers to death, so it is clearer and safer to use in condolence contexts.

Using the present continuous

Saying 'she is passing away' sounds very unnatural in almost all situations. Use the simple past or present perfect instead when talking about someone's death.

✗ I heard that he is passing away.
✓ I heard that he passed away.

Usage

Pass away is the standard polite alternative to 'die' and is appropriate in both spoken and written English. It is used in British and American English equally and is suitable for formal contexts like obituaries as well as everyday conversations about bereavement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use 'pass away' in a formal letter or obituary?

Yes — 'pass away' is actually very well suited to formal contexts like obituaries, official announcements, and condolence letters. It sounds respectful and appropriate without being too cold or clinical. Many newspapers and organisations use it as their standard way of reporting a death.

Does 'pass away' have to be about a person, or can I use it for a pet?

You can use 'pass away' for a pet, and many people do — it shows the same kind of care and sensitivity. For example, 'Our dog passed away last week' is perfectly natural and sounds warm rather than overly formal.

Is 'pass away' used the same way in British and American English?

Yes, 'pass away' is equally common and natural in both British and American English. You don't need to adjust your language depending on your audience — it is understood and accepted everywhere.

Can I say 'people pass away every day' as a general statement?

Technically it is possible, but it sounds unnatural. When making general statements about death as a fact of life, native speakers usually prefer 'die' — for example, 'people die every day.' 'Pass away' works best when referring to specific people or situations where you want to show sensitivity.

Does 'pass away' always mean death, or can it mean something else?

In modern English, 'pass away' almost always refers to death. Unlike 'pass on,' it does not have a common second meaning, so there is very little risk of confusion. You can use it confidently whenever you want a polite way to talk about someone dying.

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