passing on the road

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "passing on the road" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the act of moving past something or someone while traveling on a road. Example: "While driving through the countryside, we saw a herd of sheep passing on the road."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Police officers began checking people passing on the road.

The New York Times

"A 16-year-old doesn't want to count how many Mustangs they're passing on the road or name the state capitals," he said.

The New York Times

"I remember one time we going to the farm," she said, "and when we was coming back, we stop in Mario's grandmother's house, and we saw my brother passing on the road very fast.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Farmers had gathered at a tea shop... when the drone begun to fly over... Some of the victims were passing on the road while some were inside drinking their afternoon tea.

The Guardian

A suicide bomber rammed his minibus into a Canadian military convoy just outside the southern city of Kandahar, wounding two soldiers and eight civilians passing on the road, officials said.

The New York Times

The horse was startled by a truck passing on the road and turned the carriage over.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

He also talked of the "Malham wave", where drivers would raise a finger in recognition when passing on the local roads.

The Guardian - Travel

Even the Folk School's motto itself, "I Sing Behind the Plow," is replete with a similar hardscrabble, Weavers-at-Carnegie Hall utopianism, a problematic fit with the many "Life or Meth" billboards one passes on the road from Atlanta.

The New York Times - Travel

"I heard animal noises and a motorcycle passed on the road below," says one bleary-eyed fighter unenthusiastically.

The Guardian

They elevate the sense of dislocation and abandonment that permeates everything in Aleppo: the streets in the city where every building has been shelled; the villages we pass on the road from the border that are intact one day, flattened the next.

Vice

We are passed on the road by the Koongawa bus as it travels on one of the longest school runs in Australia: 55 miles from Wudinna to Cummins, twice daily, carrying children as young as five.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passing on the road" to describe situations where there is an interaction or event occurring as someone or something moves along a road, rather than simply describing movement.

Common error

Don't use "passing on the road" when simply describing a route or direction; opt for phrases like "traveling along the road" or "moving down the road" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passing on the road" primarily functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as an adverbial modifier to describe the circumstances surrounding an event. As shown in the examples provided by Ludwig, it describes location.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

7%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "passing on the road" functions as a gerund phrase, offering contextual details about an action or event occurring during travel. Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically correct and typically used in a neutral register. It commonly appears in "News & Media" and less frequently in "Encyclopedias" and "Wiki". While not as frequent as simpler alternatives, it adds a specific sense of movement and interaction. When using this phrase, consider whether you intend to emphasize the act of moving past something while on a road. Otherwise, similar phrases such as "traveling along the road" might serve better.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

overtaking on the street

Replaces "road" with "street", implying a more urban setting.

going past on the route

Uses synonyms for "passing" and "road", changing the flow of the sentence.

traveling by on the highway

Substitutes "passing" with "traveling by" and "road" with "highway", suggesting a faster speed.

driving past on the lane

Replaces "passing" with "driving past" and "road" with "lane", indicating a smaller road.

moving alongside on the roadway

Replaces "passing" with "moving alongside" and "road" with "roadway", making the phrase more descriptive.

meeting along the path

Changes the context to a less formal "path" and uses "meeting" instead of "passing".

progressing along the route

Uses more formal synonyms, changing the tone.

encountering on the trail

Shifts the setting to a "trail", implying a more natural environment.

advancing on the avenue

Implies movement forward on a wide street.

proceeding by on the thoroughfare

Uses formal vocabulary to convey a similar meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "passing on the road" in a sentence?

You can use "passing on the road" to describe an event or interaction that occurs while someone is moving along a road. For example: "The police were checking people "passing on the road"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "passing on the road"?

Some alternatives include "traveling along the road", "moving down the road", or "going past on the route" depending on the context.

Is "passing on the road" grammatically correct?

Yes, "passing on the road" is grammatically correct. It is a gerund phrase that can function as a noun or part of a longer phrase.

What is the difference between "passing on the road" and "driving on the road"?

"Passing on the road" implies the act of moving past something or someone. "Driving on the road" simply describes the action of driving on a road, without necessarily implying overtaking or encountering something.