gliding past

USAGE SUMMARY

"gliding past" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe smooth, effortless movement near or by something. Example: The swan was gliding past the reeds on the lake. Alternative expressions include "gliding by," "slipping past," and "floating past."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

'I could never manage those rhyming couplets at the end of scenes.' " In a surprisingly deft and eloquent grace note to this true magnum opus, Mr. Vidal suddenly fades forward to the millennium, gliding past the success of his currently revived 1960 play "The Best Man" and away to his home in Ravello, Italy, in a condition that he characterizes as "ancient".

The New York Times - Books

A central feature, the Japanese-style kaiten conveyor belt that sends dishes gliding past the diners, began in 1997 with Simon Woodroffe's Yo Sushi!

Independent

There are few images as enduring in American history as the one of General George Washington standing tall, next to the Stars and Stripes, in a rowboat gliding past mini-icebergs as he leads his troops across the Delaware River on Christmas Day 1776 to start a surprise attack on Hessian forces during the Battle of Trenton.

The New York Times

The French Alps were gliding past in the window.

The New York Times - Magazine

Hampstead Ponds, London You've got a lifeguard, ducks calmly gliding past and warm showers.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You can easily see it, if you are gliding past on the DLR.

The Guardian - Opinion

Other skiers came gliding past, shouting greetings and cheerful comments about the state of the trail.

The New York Times

I stroll the bank of Sortedamso (Black Dam Lake) beneath the budding chestnuts, swans gliding past like white question marks.

Independent

Compared with the riders gliding past me, I was lugging a lot of ham up this alp.

The New York Times - Sports

He set off on a 60-metre run, gliding past Wells on his way to the line.

The Guardian - Sport

Here, the only other traffic in sight was a family of swans gliding past a few hundred metres away.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gliding past" to vividly describe movement that is smooth, effortless, and often graceful. This can be particularly effective in descriptive writing to create a sense of flow and ease.

Common error

Avoid using "gliding past" to describe stationary objects or situations. The phrase implies movement, so ensure that the subject is actively moving in relation to something else.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gliding past" functions as a verb phrase describing an action of moving smoothly and effortlessly by something or someone. As shown in Ludwig, it vividly depicts motion in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Travel

10%

Sport

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Lifestyle

2%

Arts

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "gliding past" effectively describes a smooth and effortless movement, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly used in news and media contexts, it evokes a sense of ease and grace. While grammatically correct and widely applicable, it's crucial to ensure its usage aligns with active movement to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives such as "slipping by" or "drifting past" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ "gliding past" to enhance their descriptive writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

slipping by

Emphasizes a subtle or unnoticed passing.

drifting past

Suggests a slow, gentle movement.

floating by

Indicates a light, buoyant movement.

sailing past

Implies movement on water, like a boat.

coasting past

Suggests effortless movement, often downhill or with momentum.

flowing past

Describes a continuous, smooth movement, like a river.

sweeping past

Implies a quick, forceful movement.

whizzing by

Conveys a very fast, almost blurring movement.

glancing past

Focuses on a brief, fleeting view while moving.

skimming past

Suggests a light touch or near miss while moving.

FAQs

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

Use "gliding past" to describe a smooth and effortless movement. For example, "The skater was "gliding past" the other competitors with ease".

What does "gliding past" suggest in descriptive writing?

"Gliding past" suggests a sense of smoothness, ease, and often speed. It's suitable when you want to convey a sense of effortless movement.

What are some alternatives to "gliding past"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "slipping by", "drifting past", or "sailing past".

Is there a difference between "gliding past" and "passing by"?

"Gliding past" emphasizes the smoothness and ease of the movement, whereas "passing by" is a more general term simply indicating movement in proximity.