rushed past

USAGE SUMMARY

'rushed past' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone quickly passing by or going past something. For example: "We watched as the man rushed past us without so much as a glance in our direction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A bus rushed past on the street, and the blast of hot air stung her neck.

The New Yorker

Persil-white snow covered timber mills and gingerbread houses rushed past.

The Guardian - Travel

As competitors rushed past, the crowds shook thousands of tiny cowbells in raucous cacophony.

The Guardian

As he rushed past, the bartender asked what he should do.

The New York Times

Cars rushed past, but the hulk of a bus was nowhere to be seen.

The New York Times

She found comfort in this knowledge as the last week of school rushed past, and she grew sentimental.

The New York Times

More often were the oohs and ahhs, as young women in kick lines rushed past, and couples spun each other overhead as if in a ballet.

The New York Times

Our bus rushed past without stopping.

BBC

A group of fellow protesters rushed past, carrying three bloodied men in what looked like a bed sheet.

Huffington Post

He barely acknowledged us as he rushed past and grabbed hold of the knob, flinging the door open.

Vice

We stepped to the side as people rushed past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rushed past" to convey a sense of urgency or speed when describing someone or something moving quickly and passing by a specific point or object. For example, "The ambulance rushed past the traffic jam.".

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "rushed past". Ensure that the surrounding verbs are consistent to maintain clarity. For example, instead of "He rushes past and then tripped", use "He rushed past and then tripped" or "He rushes past and then trips".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rushed past" functions as a verb phrase describing an action of quickly moving and passing by someone or something. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically correct and frequently found in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rushed past" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of quickly moving and passing by something or someone. Ludwig confirms its correctness and provides numerous real-world examples, primarily from News & Media sources, indicating a neutral register. While the phrase is not overly common, it effectively conveys a sense of speed and urgency. When using "rushed past", it's important to maintain tense consistency and to be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey, as alternatives like "hurried by" or "sped by" may be more appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hurried by

Emphasizes the speed of movement, similar to "rushed past", but with a focus on the act of hurrying.

sped by

Highlights the fast pace of passing, indicating a high velocity.

breezed past

Suggests an effortless and quick passing, often with a sense of lightness.

whizzed by

Indicates a very rapid movement, creating a sense of speed and swiftness.

darted past

Implies a sudden and quick movement, often to avoid something or someone.

flitted past

Suggests a light and quick movement, similar to a bird or insect.

sailed past

Implies a smooth and relatively fast passing, often without resistance.

swept past

Highlights the act of moving swiftly and powerfully, often influencing the surrounding environment.

stormed past

Indicates a forceful and rapid movement, often driven by strong emotions.

zipped by

Suggests a fast and efficient passing, often with a technological or modern connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "rushed past" in a sentence?

Use "rushed past" to describe a quick movement where someone or something moves rapidly and goes by a particular point or object. For example, "The runner "rushed past" the finish line."

What are some alternatives to "rushed past"?

You can use alternatives like "hurried by", "sped by", or "breezed past" depending on the context.

Is "rushed past" grammatically correct?

Yes, "rushed past" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of the verb phrase "rush past" and is commonly used to describe a quick passing movement.

What's the difference between ""rushed past"" and "hurried past"?

"Rushed past" implies a greater sense of urgency or speed than "hurried past". While both suggest a quick passing, "rushed" indicates more haste and possibly less attention to the surroundings.