passing ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

"passing ahead" is a correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It means to move past or go in front of someone or something. Example: The cyclist quickly sped up, passing ahead of the car at the red light. In this sentence, "passing ahead" indicates that the cyclist moved in front of the car, possibly to continue on their route.

✓ Grammatically correct

Sports

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Lionel Messi waterbugged through the middle on a counterattack, passing ahead to Tévez in the penalty area.

The New York Times - Sports

"He's somebody who can really advance the ball quickly by passing ahead, by using the pick and roll," Krzyzewski said.

The New York Times - Sports

Instead of passing ahead to Demetreus Gore, who was out in front, he dished to his right, where Lane was gathering steam filling the lane.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

A couple with cameras on their chests passed ahead.

The New Yorker

Kidd stole the ball from Delk and passed ahead to Jefferson for an open two-handed dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

In overtime, Krejci intercepted a pass by Nicklas Backstrom and sent the puck to Milan Lucic, who passed ahead to Seguin.

The New York Times - Sports

There were 40 seconds remaining when Richard Jefferson passed ahead to Jason Kidd, who touch-passed the ball to Kittles sprinting in for a dunk.

The New York Times - Sports

3.31pm BST The Tour caravan, which passes ahead of the riders spreading cheer, has arrived in Sheffield, where the stage will finish in around an hour.

The Guardian - Sport

Tennessee forward Shyra Ely, who had had a poor offensive game, grabbed the ball and passed ahead to Davis, who made the layup.

The New York Times - Sports

First, he lost the handle of his dribble to Shammond Williams, who passed ahead to Gary Payton for a layup that brought the Sonics within 88-87.

The New York Times - Sports

Facebook Twitter Google plus Share Share this post Facebook Twitter Google plus close 3.31pm BSThe:31 TourTour caravan, which passes ahead of the riders spreading cheer, has arrived in Sheffield, where the stage will finish in around an hour.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement in sports or other dynamic activities, use "passing ahead" to clearly indicate the act of moving in front of another player or object. This is especially effective in play-by-play commentary or strategic analysis.

Common error

While "passing ahead" is acceptable in sports reporting and informal descriptions, it might be too colloquial for formal or academic writing. Consider using more precise or sophisticated alternatives like "surpassing" or "advancing" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing ahead" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, often used to describe an action in progress. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's acceptable in written English and typically describes the act of moving in front of someone or something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Sports

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passing ahead" is a grammatically correct phrase, according to Ludwig AI, used to describe moving in front of something. It is most commonly found in sports reporting and general descriptions of movement, as shown in the examples provided by Ludwig. While acceptable, the phrase leans towards the informal side and may not be suitable for formal or academic writing. For more formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "surpassing" or "advancing". Common sources using this phrase include The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC, but its overall frequency is rare.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overtaking

Focuses specifically on the act of going past something or someone, typically in a competitive context like a race.

forging ahead

Emphasizes determined and continuous progress, often despite challenges.

progressing forward

Highlights the act of making advancement or moving towards a goal.

moving forward

Indicates a general sense of advancement or continuation.

getting ahead

Implies gaining an advantage or surpassing others in a competitive setting.

advancing forward

Similar to "progressing forward" but with a slightly more formal tone.

surpassing

Focuses on exceeding or outdoing someone or something.

outstripping

Suggests exceeding something, often in terms of growth or speed.

outpacing

Implies moving at a faster rate than something else.

leading the way

Highlights the act of going first or setting an example for others to follow.

FAQs

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

You can use "passing ahead" to describe movement in sports or general contexts. For instance, "The cyclist quickly sped up, "overtaking" the car at the red light" illustrates someone moving in front of something else.

What are some alternatives to "passing ahead"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "forging ahead", "progressing forward", or "overtaking" to convey similar meanings.

Is "passing ahead" formal or informal?

"Passing ahead" leans towards the informal side. In formal writing, consider using more precise and sophisticated terms like "surpassing" or "advancing".

Which is correct, "passing ahead" or "passed ahead"?

"Passing ahead" is the correct gerund form. "Passed ahead" might be grammatically correct in some contexts (e.g. "the message was passed ahead"), but it has a very different meaning and is not a direct synonym.