passed us

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed us" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone or something moved in front of or alongside someone or something else. Example: As we hiked through the forest, a group of deer suddenly passed us, their graceful movements catching our attention.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The group passed us without stopping.

The New Yorker

Meanwhile, other countries have passed us by".

The New York Times

A Dickensian waved as he passed us.

The New Yorker

But the parade has passed us by.

The Guardian - Books

"The boom has passed us by, and the bust has passed us by".

The New York Times

A motorcycle cop passed us, saying, "Race over".

The New York Times - Sports

Two boats passed us, but neither of them stopped.

The Guardian

Some of our American dreams have passed us by.

The New York Times

Hikers passed us with the standard Swiss-German greeting "Grüezi".

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Lonely trucks pass us on empty streets.

The New York Times - Travel

They pass us and do their work".

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed us" to describe a straightforward action of moving beyond a point, whether literal or figurative. It's versatile for describing movement in races, progress in projects, or shifts in trends.

Common error

Avoid substituting "passed us" with phrases like "past us" which has a different meaning. "Past us" typically refers to a time before the present, not the act of moving beyond.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed us" primarily functions as a verb phrase, where 'passed' is the past tense of the verb 'pass', and 'us' is the object pronoun. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "passed us" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the action of moving beyond a specific point, whether literally or figuratively. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and frequent usage across various contexts, especially in news and media. When writing, be mindful of similar-sounding phrases like "past us", which have different meanings. Consider alternative phrases like ""went by us"" or ""overtook us"" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overtook us

Focuses on the act of surpassing, often implying greater speed or progress.

went by us

Describes the simple action of moving past without necessarily implying competition or outdoing.

moved past us

Emphasizes the change in relative position, highlighting the movement beyond a static point.

left us behind

Highlights the consequence of being surpassed, focusing on the separation created.

outdistanced us

Similar to "overtook", but often used in the context of competitive events or races.

outstripped us

Implies exceeding in achievement or progress, not just physical movement.

advanced beyond us

Suggests progress to a more forward position, often in a figurative or strategic sense.

gained ground on us

Indicates the act of approaching or gaining an advantage over a prior position.

drawn ahead of us

Indicates that something has gradually moved into a leading position.

eclipsed us

Implies surpassing in significance or reputation, overshadowing in some way.

FAQs

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

You can use "passed us" to describe a situation where someone or something moved beyond a specific point in relation to you. For example, "The car "overtook us" on the highway", or "The deadline for the project "went by us" before we could finish it".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "passed us"?

Some alternatives include phrases like ""went by us"", "moved past us", or "left us behind", depending on the specific context you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "past us" instead of "passed us"?

No, "past us" is not typically used to describe the act of moving beyond. "Past us" usually refers to something that happened before the present. Instead, use "passed us" to indicate movement beyond a specific point.

What does it mean when someone says that a trend has "passed us" by?

When someone says a trend has "passed us by", it means that the trend has become popular or significant, but it has occurred without affecting or involving the speaker or those they represent. It suggests that they have missed out on or are no longer relevant to the trend. Similarly something can left us behind.