just passing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "just passing" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone is only briefly visiting or moving through a place without intending to stay. Example: "I was just passing through town when I decided to stop and grab a coffee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Just passing?

The Guardian - Travel

They are just passing through".

The New York Times

We're all just passing through".

The New York Times

Or just passing through.

The Washington Post

We're just passing through".

The New York Times

Just passing the time".

The Guardian - Music

The shrinks are just passing the buck".

The New Yorker

"People are just passing, passing, passing, passing.

The New York Times - Sports

Like you, I'm just passing through.

The New Yorker

Nor will just passing grades suffice.

The New York Times

Just passing the hour mark now.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "just passing" to convey a temporary state or action, ensuring the context clearly indicates the subject's transient nature.

Common error

Avoid using "just passing" when describing permanent or long-term situations; ensure the context aligns with a temporary or brief duration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "just passing" primarily functions as a present participle phrase, often used as part of a continuous verb form to describe an ongoing action or state of being. As shown by Ludwig, this usage indicates a temporary condition or movement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "just passing" functions as a present participle phrase indicating temporality and transience. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across diverse contexts. It is suitable for both formal and informal communication, frequently appearing in news articles and everyday conversations. While highly versatile, it's essential to ensure the context clearly reflects a temporary state or action, aligning with the phrase's inherent meaning. Related phrases, such as "merely passing through" or "simply passing", can further refine the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely passing through

Emphasizes the transient nature of the action more explicitly.

simply passing

Suggests the act of passing is uncomplicated or routine.

only passing

Highlights the exclusivity of the action as just passing, and nothing more.

briefly passing

Adds emphasis on the short duration of the passing action.

momentarily passing

Similar to briefly passing, but can also imply a slight delay.

temporarily passing

Focuses on the limited duration of the state or action.

casually passing

Implies a relaxed and unhurried manner of passing.

quickly passing

Highlights the speed and efficiency of the passing.

just going by

An informal alternative that emphasizes movement and location.

incidentally passing

Implies the passing is not the main intent or purpose.

FAQs

What does "just passing" mean?

"Just passing" typically means someone or something is temporarily in a place or state, not intending to stay or remain for long.

How can I use "just passing" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe moving through a location, like "I was "just passing through" town", or to describe a temporary state, such as "He's "just passing time"".

What are some alternatives to "just passing"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "merely passing", "simply passing by", or "temporarily passing".

Is it correct to say "just passing by" instead of "just passing"?

Yes, "just passing by" is a common and acceptable alternative to "just passing", especially when describing movement or travel.