the passing of Mr xxx/the passing on of Mr xxx

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tedmc

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When somebody passes away and you wish to inform others about the news, do you refer to it as "the passing of Mr. xxxx" or "the passing on of Mr. xxx"? Or can the two be used interchangeably?
 

Barb_D

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Mr. X has passed away.

At least we can say that Mr. X's death was peaceful/Mr. X's passing was peaceful.
 

lyfen

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Please, can we say that Mr.X's dying was peaceful?
 
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Rover_KE

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We can say that lyfen, but it's not colloquial.

'Mr, X's death was peaceful' is more natural.
 

tedmc

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My original question has not been answered yet - "the passing of" or the "passing on of".
 

Rover_KE

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emsr2d2

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My original question has not been answered yet - "the passing of" or the "passing on of".

If I were actually giving the news, I would say "I am sad to have to inform you of the death of Mr XXX".
I might use "passing" in other ways. "When the media were reporting on David Bowie's passing, they screened hours of unseen concert footage".
 
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tedmc

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So that is a rather formal way of saying it.
I think it is used more often in news and obituaries.
 

lyfen

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We can say that lyfen, but it's not colloquial.

'Mr, X's death was peaceful' is more natural.

:) ok, I understand, thank you.
 

Rover_KE

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