as they passed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as they passed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an action occurring while someone or something is moving by a particular point or location. Example: "The children waved at the parade floats as they passed down the street."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People taunted the police as they passed.

The New Yorker

People were staring as they passed.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He applauded as they passed his table.

The New Yorker

Their eyes met briefly as they passed.

The New York Times

Others smiled and waved as they passed by.

The New Yorker

Chavez greeted construction workers by name as they passed by.

The New Yorker

Finally, they were spotted as they passed a farmhouse.

The New York Times

Horns were ablaze and the drivers snarled as they passed.

The New York Times

He introduced himself as they passed in a hallway.

The New York Times

"Viva Espana!" wafted in the air as they passed.

Independent

The kids looked straight ahead as they passed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as they passed" to create a sense of simultaneous action, linking what someone did with the act of moving by a particular location or person. For example: "He greeted them warmly as they passed his office."

Common error

Avoid using "as they passed" when you want to indicate a causal relationship instead of simultaneous action. For example, don't say "The car broke down as they passed the mechanic" if you mean the breakdown was because they were near the mechanic. Instead, use a phrase like "because they were passing the mechanic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as they passed" functions as an adverbial clause of time, modifying a verb by indicating when an action occurred in relation to the act of passing. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness, further validating its role in constructing well-formed sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as they passed" functions as a versatile adverbial clause, primarily used to establish temporal context within a sentence. Ludwig confirms its grammatical accuracy and prevalent use across diverse sources, especially within News & Media. While alternatives like "while they were passing" or "when they went by" exist, understanding its specific purpose in indicating simultaneous action can significantly enhance your writing. Keep in mind, as highlighted in the writing guidance, that it's important to avoid confusing it with causal relationships. The usage analysis further reveals its very common nature, marking it as an essential phrase for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while they were passing

Replaces "as" with "while", emphasizing the duration of the passing.

as they were going past

Similar to "while they were passing" but uses "going past".

when they went by

Uses "went by" instead of "passed", focusing on the action of moving past.

as they moved along

Replaces "passed" with "moved along", highlighting continuous movement.

upon their passing

Uses "upon" for a slightly more formal and emphatic tone.

during their passage

Employs a more formal tone using the noun "passage".

as they proceeded

Emphasizes the forward motion using the verb "proceeded".

in their passing

Uses a gerund phrase to describe the action, slightly more literary.

when they traversed

A more formal alternative using the verb "traversed".

while in transit

Shortens the phrase using "in transit" to indicate movement.

FAQs

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

Use "as they passed" to describe an action happening while someone or something is moving by. For example: "The children waved "as they passed"."

What are some alternatives to "as they passed"?

You can use alternatives like "while they were passing", "when they went by", or "during their passage" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "as they passed" and "as they were passing"?

Both phrases are similar, but ""as they passed"" implies a completed action of passing, while "as they were passing" suggests the action was ongoing. The difference is subtle and often interchangeable.

When should I use "as they passed by" instead of "as they passed"?

"As they passed by" is slightly more emphatic and can be used to highlight the act of moving past something or someone. In most cases, ""as they passed"" is sufficient and more concise.