by past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by past" is not correct in English and does not convey a clear meaning.
It seems to be a confusion of terms, possibly intended to refer to "past" in a temporal context or "bygone" in a descriptive sense. Example: "The events of the bypast have shaped our current situation."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

These mental models are heavily influenced by past experiences (Simon 1976).

Business Research

Data were weighted by past vote recall.

Independent

Harmony is moderate by past standards.

The Economist

It's also influenced by past experience.

Harvard University

How are decisions shaped by past experience?

Harvard University

By past measures, confidence remains exceptionally high.

The New York Times

By past accounts, it can be scorching.

The New York Times

Scepticism is reinforced by past failures.

The Guardian

His concern is supported by past incidents.

The Guardian - Tech

Data were also weighted by past vote recall.

Independent

Overall unemployment is modest by past standards, at 8.6%.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Contextualize your writing by specifying the time frame or events you are referencing when discussing past occurrences.

Common error

Do not use the phrase "by past" when aiming for clarity and grammatical correctness; it often leads to misinterpretation. Ensure your sentences clearly indicate whether you are referring to something that happened previously, or if you are setting a standard based on historical data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by past" does not have a clearly defined grammatical function in standard English. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's often a confusion of terms. It sometimes appears as a prepositional phrase aiming to modify a noun, but its usage is generally considered incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

34%

Academia

32%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "by past" appears frequently in various contexts, particularly in News & Media, Academia, and Science, it is generally considered grammatically incorrect. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often a result of confused phrasing. It's best to replace it with clearer alternatives such as "in the past", "based on past", or "from the past" to ensure accuracy and clarity. Despite its common occurrence, its non-standard nature makes it unsuitable for formal writing. When clarity and precision are crucial, opting for grammatically sound alternatives is always recommended.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in the past

Replaces "by past" with a standard prepositional phrase indicating a time frame.

from the past

Indicates origin or influence stemming from a previous time.

based on past

Highlights that current actions or decisions are influenced by what happened before.

according to past

Similar to "based on past", but often used in formal contexts when referencing records or analyses.

in bygone days

Refers to a period long ago, often with a sense of nostalgia or historical distance.

by historical standards

Emphasizes a comparison against established norms from a previous era.

with past experiences

Focuses on how previous personal or collective events shape current perspectives or actions.

relying on past

Indicates dependence on previous events or information for present actions.

prior to the present

A more formal way of saying "before now", emphasizing what preceded the current moment.

in earlier times

Similar to "in the past", but can suggest a broader or less specific timeframe.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "by past"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "in the past", "based on past experiences", or "from the past".

Is "by past" grammatically correct?

No, "by past" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use alternative phrases like "in the past" to ensure clarity.

How can I use "past" correctly in a sentence?

Use "past" with prepositions like "in" or "from" (e.g., "in the past") or as an adjective (e.g., "past experiences"). Avoid using it directly after "by".

What's the difference between "by past" and "in the past"?

"By past" is not a standard English phrase. "In the past" is a correct prepositional phrase used to refer to events or times that have already occurred.