passed by

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed by" is a correct phrase in written English.
You could use it when referring to something that has already happened or been approved in the past, or even to describe something that travels past a certain point. For instance, "The bill was passed by Congress two months ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The days passed by slowly.

Huffington Post

Passed by.

The New York Times - Sports

All passed by large margins.

The Economist

"Everybody else passed by it".

The New York Times - Food

"He will have passed by.

The New Yorker

Both passed by wide margins.

The Economist

Trainers passed by, looking worried.

The New York Times - Sports

The amendment passed by 95 to 2.

The New York Times

This is what was being passed by.

The New York Times

That measure passed by a slim margin.

The New York Times

Screaming pedestrians passed by at all hours.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed by" to describe physical movement, the enactment of laws, or the progression of time. Ensure the context is clear to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "past by", as it is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "passed by", which is the past tense of the phrasal verb "pass by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed by" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. Ludwig AI shows that it is used in contexts describing movement (e.g., "A train passed by") or the enactment of laws (e.g., "The bill passed by voice vote").

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

19%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passed by" is a versatile phrasal verb used to describe physical movement, the enactment of laws, or the passage of time. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. It functions primarily to describe events and report news, maintaining a neutral register suitable for news, academic, and scientific writing. Common usage includes describing trains or people moving past a location, the approval of bills, and the progression of time. The key is to ensure clarity and context when using this phrase to avoid any potential ambiguity. Remember that "passed by" (past tense) is correct; "past by" is not.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

went past

Focuses on the physical act of moving beyond a point, emphasizing motion more directly.

was approved

Indicates formal acceptance or enactment, differing from the simple passage of time or physical movement.

elapsed

Specifically refers to the passing of time, a more abstract sense than physical movement.

went unnoticed

Highlights the lack of observation or attention, contrasting with the awareness implied in simply passing by.

was enacted

Implies a legal or formal process of approval, applicable to laws or regulations.

skirted

Suggests avoiding direct contact or engagement, often implying a strategic maneuver.

journeyed through

Conveys a sense of travel and experience, often over a longer distance or period.

ticked by

Describes time passing slowly, often with a sense of monotony or anticipation.

streamed past

Emphasizes a continuous flow of movement, often used for multiple objects or events.

marched on

Implies forward progress despite obstacles, with a sense of determination or inevitability.

FAQs

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

You can use "passed by" to indicate movement, as in "The train "went past" the station". It can also mean something was approved, such as "The law "was approved" by Congress". Alternatively, it can refer to the "elapsed" of time: "Several years "ticked by"".

What are some synonyms for "passed by"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "passed by" include "went past", "was approved", "elapsed", or "went unnoticed".

Is "passed by" formal or informal?

"Passed by" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. The formality largely depends on the surrounding vocabulary and the overall tone of your writing. For instance, news reports and academic papers frequently use "passed by".

What is the difference between "passed by" and "past by"?

"Passed by" is the correct form, indicating movement or approval. "Past by" is grammatically incorrect. It is important to use the correct past tense form of the verb "pass".