passer in literary & formal French
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Time, laws and transitions.
Passer in formal French
Formal French uses passer for the movement of time and process: passer un contrat (to enter into a contract), passer une commande (to place an order), passer en revue (to review).
The literary le temps passe and its cousin le passé — the past — come from the same root. And trépasser, to pass away, survives as an elevated euphemism.
💡 Focus at this level: Literary & formal
👨🏫 How to use « passer » at this level
1. « Passer une commande » = to place an order. Business standard.
2. « Passer en revue » = to review systematically.
3. Recognise « il passa ». Past historic.
Nous avons passé commande hier.We placed the order yesterday.
Passons en revue les options.Let’s review the options.
Le temps passe vite.Time passes quickly.
Il passa sans se retourner.He went past without turning round.
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