as it passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as it passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that occurred or was observed while something else was in motion or transitioning. Example: "The car sped by, and I caught a glimpse of the driver as it passed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

As it passed 49th Street, spectators reacted coolly.

The New York Times

As it passed, a wide-eyed teenager stared out.

The Guardian

It appeared to tiptoe as it passed within earshot of a lazy beached seal.

The New York Times

"Forty-four miles an hour," said Eric Schure, 20, as it passed his radar gun.

The New York Times

Yet he didn't see this light as it passed down the passageway to his left.

Independent

Even as it passed, the Democrat-controlled Senate prepared to kill the legislation within hours.

The New York Times

Radio contact was lost with the plane as it passed north of Gainesville, Fla.

The New York Times - Sports

An obsolete, daring technological marvel: people stood out on the rooftops as it passed.

The Guardian - Books

As it passed, the crowd burst into a full-throated shout of "Ali!

The Guardian - Sport

"It had to pass exactly as it passed out of the House".

The New York Times

It was heading west on 43rd Street, and as it passed Broadway, it picked up speed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as it passed" to clearly indicate that an event occurred concurrently with something moving or transitioning. This can help establish a sense of time and sequence in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as it passed" when you mean to describe an event that happened after something moved by. Ensure the action described coincides with the movement itself, not the aftermath.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as it passed" functions as a temporal conjunction, linking an action or observation to the moment something is in motion. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase introduces a clause describing what happened during the act of passing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

20%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as it passed" functions as a temporal conjunction to describe actions happening concurrently with the movement of an object or entity. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used in news, science, and wiki contexts. While generally neutral in register, the phrase benefits from the alternative phrasing options like "while it was passing" or "when it went by" to add nuance to your writing. Remember to use "as it passed" to describe a temporal co-occurrence, not a subsequence, and be mindful of its role in conveying dynamic scenes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while it was passing

Replaces "as" with "while" and uses the continuous tense "was passing" for emphasis on the ongoing action.

as it moved past

Replaces "passed" with "moved past", highlighting the motion.

when it went by

Uses the simpler verb "went by" instead of "passed", making it more informal.

on its way past

Emphasizes that something is on a journey while it passes a certain point.

during its passage

Uses a noun phrase to describe the event of passing, focusing on the duration.

as it proceeded

Replaces "passed" with "proceeded", giving a sense of orderly movement.

as it traversed

Uses the more formal verb "traversed" to indicate movement across an area.

during its transit

Emphasizes the act of passing through a specific area or point.

in its wake

Focuses on what happens after something passes, referring to its consequences or effects.

while in motion

Focuses on the state of being in motion as a defining characteristic of the passing action.

FAQs

How can I use "as it passed" in a sentence?

The phrase "as it passed" is used to describe something happening while something else is moving. For instance, "The crowd cheered "as it passed" the finish line" indicates the cheering occurred during the vehicle's movement.

What are some alternatives to "as it passed"?

You can use alternatives like "while it was passing", "when it went by", or "as it moved past", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "as it passing" instead of "as it passed"?

No, "as it passing" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""as it passed"", using the past tense of the verb "pass."

What's the difference between "as it passed" and "after it passed"?

"As it passed" implies the event happened during the motion, while "after it passed" means the event occurred subsequently.