cruising by

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cruising by" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It can be used in a variety of contexts to describe someone or something moving smoothly or leisurely past a certain point or location. Here are a few examples: - The couple enjoyed cruising by the beautiful coastline on their luxury yacht. - I often see the neighborhood kids cruising by on their skateboards. - As I was walking along the river, a group of ducks went cruising by. - The car dealership was located on a busy street, with cars constantly cruising by. - The train was cruising by at such high speeds, it was a blur to the bystanders. In these examples, "cruising by" is used to describe the smooth and leisurely movement of an object or person past a specific location. It can also be used in a more metaphorical sense, such as in "I'm just cruising by in life, taking things as they come." Overall, "cruising by" is a versatile phrase that can be used in a variety of written contexts.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Today, most drivers whipping up and down Route 9 never realize what they are cruising by.

The New York Times

Pukarayat residents were both thankful for and mystified by the surfers cruising by offshore.

The New York Times - Sports

It could have been anyone, really, someone's parent or even a city worker cruising by on inspection.

The New Yorker

But Mr. Khan was vexed by the striking inequalities — the new Hummers cruising by endless shantytowns — and the growing rumblings of tribal politics.

The New York Times

We resorted to stalking him like a jilted lover, cruising by his house until we saw his truck parked out front.

The New York Times

I thought back to Michael's homecoming in 2006, to Bree cruising by in her chariot, coming for to carry Michael home.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"There he is!" Wilson cruised by slowly.

The New Yorker

Seals cruise by the house.

The New York Times

Couples dressed for plays cruise by in first class.

The New York Times

A largemouth bass, fully three pounds, cruised by without stopping.

The New York Times - Travel

As we talked, feluccas, traditional wooden boats with lateen sails, cruised by the windows.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cruising by" to convey a sense of effortless or leisurely movement past a specific point. This is particularly effective when describing vehicles, boats, or even abstract concepts moving through time or situations.

Common error

Avoid using "cruising by" in highly formal or academic writing. The phrase carries a casual tone that may not be appropriate for all situations; consider alternatives such as "passing" or "moving past" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cruising by" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase modifying a verb, indicating the manner and direction of movement. As Ludwig's examples show, it describes a smooth, often leisurely, passing of a location or object.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cruising by" is a common prepositional phrase used to describe a smooth and often leisurely movement past a particular point. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility, though it's more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts than formal or academic writing. The phrase frequently appears in News & Media sources. When a more formal or precise term is needed, alternatives such as "passing by", "moving past", or "proceeding past" can be considered. It is crucial to use "cruising by" when you want to convey a sense of effortless movement with a casual pace.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passing by

A more general term for moving past, lacking the connotation of leisure or ease present in "cruising by".

going by

A simpler and more direct way of saying "cruising by", but lacks the nuance of a leisurely pace.

gliding past

Changes the mode of movement from a more general 'cruising' to a smoother, often quieter, 'gliding'.

driving past

Specifically refers to movement in a vehicle, which is a more restrictive context.

rolling by

Suggests movement on wheels, limiting the contexts in which it can be used compared to "cruising by".

wheeling past

Similar to 'rolling by', this denotes movement using wheels, narrowing its applicability.

drifting along

Implies a lack of direction or purpose, suggesting a more passive form of movement than "cruising by".

floating by

Indicates movement on a liquid or in the air, suggesting less control than "cruising by".

sailing past

Specifically refers to movement by boat or ship, making it less versatile than the original phrase.

moving along

Suggests continuous movement forward, without specific regard to passing anything.

FAQs

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

You can use "cruising by" to describe something or someone moving past a particular location smoothly or casually. For example, "We enjoyed "cruising by" the coastline on our boat" or "The security guard was "cruising by" in his car".

What does "cruising by" mean?

"Cruising by" generally means to pass a location smoothly and often at a moderate speed. It implies a lack of urgency and can suggest a leisurely or casual observation of the surroundings.

What are some alternatives to "cruising by"?

Alternatives to "cruising by" include "passing by", "gliding past", or "moving past". The best choice depends on the specific context and the desired nuance.

Is "cruising by" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cruising by" is generally more suited for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider more precise or professional alternatives such as "passing through" or "proceeding past".