move past that

USAGE SUMMARY

'move past that' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to encourage someone to move on from a situation or topic. For example: "Let's move past that argument - it's not worth our time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"When the system failed us yesterday, we were able to move past that and ultimately do the right thing," he said.

The Washington Post

Yes, it's a fucking masterpiece, but let's move past that and examine Kels a bit more thoroughly.

Vice

"Now I need to recognize how to move past that and live out the life that they would have wanted for me," he says.

HuffPost

"Once I felt like we had played all those colors and had told all those stories, then I knew it was time to move past that and embark on her life as somebody who has sex," Urman said in a telephone interview. .

Los Angeles Times

We need to move past that.

The New York Times

I hope we can move past that unhelpfully zero-sum logic to a more complementary approach.

University of California, Berkeley

When I brought it up, he said only, "Yeah, we can move past that".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

"We're more interested in moving past that and celebrating whether something is interesting and adds to life.

The Guardian - Tech

Cramer: Tell me about a fear that you've overcome and ways, if any, that moving past that fear helped you reach your current success.

Forbes

It's a battle from the 19th century, and one would think we moved past that.

Los Angeles Times

We were tired, it was what it was and we moved past that.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "move past that" to encourage a shift in focus from a negative or unproductive topic to something more positive and forward-looking. It's particularly effective in discussions or situations where dwelling on the past is hindering progress.

Common error

While "move past that" is widely understood, avoid overuse in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "transcend that" or "surmount that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "move past that" functions primarily as a directive, urging a shift in focus or perspective. Ludwig's examples show it used to encourage progress beyond a problem, obstacle, or past event. It serves to redirect attention toward a more productive or positive direction.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

22%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "move past that" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrasal verb that encourages a shift in focus from a particular issue or situation to a more positive or productive direction. According to Ludwig, its primary function is directive, urging forward momentum and resolution. While it enjoys broad applicability across various contexts, it's especially prevalent in News & Media and Academia. For formal writing, it might be a good idea to replace it with alternatives as “transcend that” or “overcome that”. Remember, that overusing "move past that" in formal settings can come across as unprofessional. Always assess the context to make a smart decision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

move on from that

This alternative is very similar, simply replacing 'past' with 'on from', maintaining the same sense of progression.

get beyond that

Similar to 'move on from that', this suggests surpassing an obstacle or issue.

put that behind you

This alternative emphasizes leaving something in the past, focusing on personal resolution and forward movement.

leave that behind

Similar to 'put that behind you', this option is about consciously choosing to no longer be affected by something.

get over it

This alternative is more direct and often used in informal contexts to suggest someone should stop dwelling on something.

rise above that

This alternative suggests overcoming something challenging, implying resilience and strength in moving forward.

overcome that

This alternative focuses on successfully dealing with and conquering a challenge or difficulty.

transcend that

This alternative implies surpassing or going beyond the limitations or negative impact of something.

surmount that

Similar to 'overcome that', this implies successfully dealing with a significant obstacle.

look beyond that

This alternative shifts the focus to considering the bigger picture and not getting stuck on a specific detail or problem.

FAQs

How can I use "move past that" in a sentence?

You can use "move past that" to suggest shifting focus away from a particular issue. For example, "We acknowledge the mistake, but we need to "move past that" and focus on solutions."

What can I say instead of "move past that"?

You can use alternatives like "get over it", "move on from that", or "put that behind you" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "move past that" in a formal setting?

While generally acceptable, it may be more suitable to use a more formal alternative such as "transcend that" or "overcome that" in professional or academic contexts.

What's the difference between "move past that" and "ignore that"?

"Move past that" suggests acknowledging something before moving on, while "ignore that" implies disregarding it completely. "Move past that" often involves processing or learning from the experience before shifting focus; ignoring it may mean avoiding dealing with it at all.