I went by

USAGE SUMMARY

"I went by" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that you traveled past someplace. Example sentence: I went by the grocery store on my way home from work.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

As I went by, whoever was showing me around said, "This is a new senator, Senator Lieberman".

The New York Times - Magazine

I went by taxi.

The New Yorker

I went by on the train.

The New Yorker

So I went by system.

The Guardian

"Then I went by myself.

The New York Times - Health

The next night I went by car to a party.

The Guardian - Opinion

On Terry and I went by car to the coast.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

The Bird Is Gone by Stephen Graham Jones.

Vice

'Time Is Going By Really Really Really Really Slow': Indeed.

Huffington Post

It sounds like "The Thrill Is Gone" by B.B King.

Vice

506 - The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I went by" to casually indicate you passed a location or briefly visited a place. For example, "I went by the post office to mail a letter".

Common error

Avoid using "I went by" in formal writing when a more precise term like "visited" or "passed" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I went by" functions as an intransitive verb phrase indicating movement and often implies a brief visit or passage near a specific location. Ludwig AI confirms this is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I went by" is a versatile and commonly used expression to indicate passing a location, or making a brief visit, as verified by Ludwig AI. It's suitable for a wide range of contexts from casual conversation to news reports. While generally neutral in register, it's important to consider the context and audience when choosing between "I went by" and more formal alternatives such as "I visited" or "I passed by". Use "I went by" to denote a casual passage or quick stop, and reserve more formal terms for situations requiring greater precision or formality. The extensive examples confirm the phrase’s widespread acceptance and utility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I passed by

Replaces "went" with "passed", emphasizing the act of moving past a location.

I went past

Focuses on the action of moving beyond a certain point or location.

I stopped by

Indicates a brief visit, adding the connotation of stopping at a place.

I swung by

Suggests a quick and informal visit, more colloquial than "went by".

I dropped in

Similar to "swung by", indicating a casual and often unplanned visit.

I visited

Implies a deliberate visit, removing the casualness of simply passing by.

I cruised by

Suggests a more leisurely and relaxed passage.

I checked in on

Adds the idea of briefly inspecting or ensuring everything is alright when passing a place.

I made a visit to

Formal way to say you visited, emphasizing the act of visiting.

I journeyed to

Implies a more significant trip or travel to reach a place.

FAQs

How can I use "I went by" in a sentence?

You can use "I went by" to indicate that you traveled past a place or briefly visited it. For example, "I went by the store on my way home".

What can I say instead of "I went by"?

You can use alternatives like "I passed by", "I stopped by", or "I visited" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I went by" or should I use a more formal phrase?

The phrase "I went by" is perfectly acceptable in most informal and neutral contexts. However, in formal writing, you might consider using a more precise term like "I visited" or "I passed".

What is the difference between "I went by" and "I stopped by"?

"I went by" simply means you traveled past a place, while "I stopped by" implies you made a brief visit. "I went by the bakery" suggests you merely passed it, whereas "I stopped by the bakery" means you entered it, even if briefly.