passing in front of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'passing in front of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe someone or something going by in front of you. For example, "I saw a parade of people passing in front of me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Scribbled on the back of a postcard," Peeters writes, "it shows a train passing in front of a stopped car, under the watch of a crossing keeper".

The New York Times - Books

The intent was to use these intensities as a measure of the formation of local Radio Frequency (RF) sheath potentials, through RF sheath rectification and potential build up at the end of field lines passing in front of the antenna.

Journal of Nuclear Materials

Like moving pictures passing in front of my eyes.

The New York Times - Books

There was no possibility of reaching my cabin without passing in front of them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I just saw my whole life passing in front of me".

The Guardian

In the evening, youths attacked a police car passing in front of an Athens hospital.

The New York Times

"Searching for water vapour absorption in the atmosphere of an exoplanet passing in front of its host star is akin to looking for a tiny insect passing in front of a bright coastal lighthouse lamp," she wrote.

The Guardian

The idea is that a planet passing in front of its star would block a little of its light — very little.

The New York Times - Science

He stopped for a red light that wouldn't change and the parade came surging around a corner, passing in front of him, and he had to wait.

The New Yorker

It will also open the way for the creation of a new parking area to remove coaches from a narrow road passing in front of the cottage.

Independent

The bus drove through streets that were almost empty, the scenery passing in front of the huge windshield like a silent movie.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing in front of" to clearly indicate movement or position relative to an observer or reference point. This phrasing is particularly useful when describing spatial relationships and sequences of events.

Common error

Avoid replacing "passing in front of" with unnecessarily complex or formal alternatives when a simple, direct description is sufficient. Clarity is key, especially in technical or descriptive writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing in front of" functions as a prepositional phrase, often used adverbially to modify verbs by indicating the location or direction of movement. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "passing in front of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase that describes movement or position relative to something else. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Its versatility is evident across various contexts, from news reports and scientific papers to casual descriptions. While more formal alternatives exist, "passing in front of" provides a clear and straightforward way to convey spatial relationships. Its widespread use in authoritative sources such as the New York Times and The Guardian underscores its reliability and acceptance in standard English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transiting in front of

A more technical term, especially used in astronomy.

going before

This alternative uses a more concise and straightforward phrasing.

moving ahead of

This highlights the forward movement aspect of the action.

crossing before

Focuses on the act of crossing a line or path.

appearing before

Emphasizes the visual aspect of something coming into view.

in advance of

This is a more formal and somewhat literary alternative.

progressing before

A more formal and less common way to describe forward movement.

preceding

A single-word substitute that's more concise and formal.

situated before

Highlights the position or location of something.

intervening before

This option implies something coming between the observer and something else.

FAQs

How can I use "passing in front of" in a sentence?

You can use "passing in front of" to describe something moving across your field of vision, such as "The train was "passing in front of" the station" or to indicate relative position, such as "The statue is located "passing in front of" the museum."

What are some alternatives to "passing in front of"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "going before", "moving ahead of", or "appearing before".

Is there a difference between "passing in front of" and "crossing in front of"?

"Passing in front of" generally implies movement across a line of sight, while "crossing in front of" suggests a physical act of traversing a space or path.

When is it appropriate to use a more formal alternative to "passing in front of"?

In formal writing or technical contexts, consider using alternatives like "in advance of" or "preceding". However, for most everyday situations, ""passing in front of"" is perfectly acceptable and clear.