moved past us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "moved past us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone or something has physically or metaphorically advanced beyond a certain point or group. Example: "As the parade moved past us, we could hear the music and see the colorful floats."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As the first group of spinner dolphins moved past us into Fagalele Bay, we sighted a second and then a third.

The New York Times

The world has already moved past us.

Los Angeles Times

He moved past us and we piled in.

Vice

A breeze that was about as hot--and about as satisfying--as dog breath moved past us.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

It moved past loveliness into something greater.

The New York Times - Arts

The Bears' offense never moved past midfield.

The New York Times - Sports

I figured we'd moved past that.

Huffington Post

Where we have moved past innovation.

Huffington Post

We moved past exploration and into development.

Huffington Post

I thought we'd moved past that.

Los Angeles Times

A number of people moving past us were probably pretty intoxicated, but they were saying, 'It's fake, it's fake.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "moved past us" to describe a group, be mindful of the implication that the group may have been left behind or superseded.

Common error

Avoid using "moved past us" if the intention is simply to describe something passing by without any implication of being surpassed or left behind. In such cases, consider using "passed by us" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "moved past us" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier. It describes how something or someone progresses in relation to the speaker and their group. Ludwig examples show it describes literal physical movement, such as the dolphin example, or metaphorical advancement.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "moved past us" is a prepositional phrase that is grammatically correct and mostly used in News & Media contexts. According to Ludwig, this phrase is used to describe both physical and metaphorical progression relative to a point of reference. While the phrase is valid and understandable, its usage is relatively rare. Alternative phrases like ""passed us by"" might be considered depending on the intended nuance. Care should be taken to prevent misinterpretations, particularly regarding the implication of being left behind.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed us by

This alternative suggests something went by without affecting or involving the speaker.

went beyond us

This indicates exceeding a limit or boundary, in a similar context.

left us behind

This phrase conveys a sense of being outpaced or abandoned.

progressed beyond us

Emphasizes advancement and development beyond the speaker's position.

advanced past us

Similar to 'progressed beyond us', but with a slightly more formal tone.

moved ahead of us

This suggests taking a leading position, surpassing in progress.

outstripped us

Implies exceeding or surpassing in terms of achievement or speed.

eclipsed us

Suggests overshadowing or diminishing in importance or achievement.

surpassed us

Indicates exceeding or going beyond in quantity or quality.

overtook us

Implies catching up and moving past, often in a competitive sense.

FAQs

How can I use "moved past us" in a sentence?

The phrase "moved past us" can be used to describe physical movement, such as "The parade "passed us by"", or metaphorical progress, such as "The world has "progressed beyond us" in terms of technology".

What does "moved past us" imply?

It implies that something has not only passed by, but has also progressed or advanced beyond the speaker or a group the speaker identifies with, potentially leaving them behind in some aspect.

What's the difference between "moved past us" and "passed us by"?

"Moved past us" suggests a greater degree of separation and potential advancement, while ""passed us by"" simply indicates something has gone by without necessarily implying progress.

Is "moved past us" formal or informal?

The phrase "moved past us" is generally neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and the specific meaning being conveyed.