being passed by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "being passed by" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something is overtaken or not given attention, often in a context of movement or progress. Example: "While I was walking, I noticed that several cars were being passed by on the highway."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is what was being passed by.

The New York Times

For me, it was being passed by a cow in a half marathon.

The New York Times

Passing and being passed by climbers we'd seen and would again, and some we wouldn't.

The New York Times - Travel

And being passed by is the shared experience of Fringe events.

The New York Times - Arts

Judgments are being passed by our great, independent judiciary but the government is not ready to implement them".

Independent

Taylor had never heard of salmonella being passed by smoking, but samples of the pot were definitely contaminated.

The New Yorker

But both proposals, despite being passed by the Icelandic parliament, were overwhelmingly defeated in public referenda thanks in part Gunnlaugsson.

The Guardian

And Schipper also ended up being passed by another Chinese swimmer, Jiao Liuyang, on the final lap.

The New York Times - Sports

Come the Revolution, her relentless opposition to most measures being passed by France's new legislative bodies led her to acquire another epithet, "Madame Veto".

The New Yorker

Russia's outline agreement with the IMF depends on a bunch of new laws being passed by mid-June, including banking reform and tougher taxes.That is now in doubt.

The Economist

Besides being passed by both houses of Congress, an amendment can also be proposed at a convention called by Congress upon petition by two-thirds of the states.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing progress or competition, use "being passed by" to illustrate the act of something or someone moving ahead, either literally or figuratively. For example, "The new technology is "being passed by" older, less efficient methods."

Common error

Ensure clarity when using "being passed by" by specifying who or what is doing the passing, and who or what is "being passed by". Avoid vague sentence structures that leave the actors unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "being passed by" functions as a passive verb phrase. It describes a situation where someone or something is receiving the action of passing, indicating a state of being overtaken or neglected. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "being passed by" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive construction. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and versatility. It conveys the idea of being overtaken, surpassed, or becoming obsolete. Found predominantly in news, media, and scientific contexts, its neutral tone makes it suitable for various registers. When writing, ensure clarity by specifying the actors involved and consider alternatives like "being overtaken" or "being surpassed" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

being overtaken

Focuses on the action of something moving ahead.

being surpassed

Highlights exceeding a certain level or standard.

being outstripped

Emphasizes a significant difference in progress or speed.

being exceeded

Implies going beyond a limit or expectation.

being left behind

Highlights the feeling of being abandoned or not progressing.

being superseded

Focuses on replacement by something newer or better.

being neglected

Emphasizes lack of attention or care.

being overlooked

Highlights being ignored or not noticed.

being ignored

Implies deliberate inattention.

being marginalized

Focuses on being pushed to the edge or periphery.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "being passed by" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using alternatives such as "being overtaken", "being surpassed", or "being superseded", depending on the specific context.

What does it mean when something is described as "being passed by"?

When something is described as "being passed by", it means it is being overtaken, ignored, or becoming obsolete in comparison to something else. It often implies a shift in focus, importance, or progress.

Is it correct to say "being pass by" instead of "being passed by"?

No, "being pass by" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "being passed by", as it uses the past participle of the verb "pass" to form the passive voice.

What's the difference between "being passed by" and "passing by"?

"Passing by" indicates an active action of moving past something, whereas "being passed by" indicates a passive state of something being overtaken or ignored.