went by

USAGE SUMMARY

"went by" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened quickly, for example: "The afternoon went by so quickly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Almost a minute went by).

The New Yorker

Several months went by.

The New York Times

A week went by.

The New York Times

Five minutes went by.

The New York Times - Food

"That went by fast".

The New York Times - Tech

Decades went by.

Independent

A dog went by.

The New Yorker

Several years went by.

The New York Times

Weeks went by.

The New York Times

Weeks went by, months.

The New York Times

He went by himself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went by" to describe the passage of time or the movement of something past a specific point, ensuring the context clarifies whether you're referring to time or physical movement. For instance, "Years went by quickly" refers to time, while "A car went by the house" refers to physical movement.

Common error

Avoid using "went by" when you need present or future tenses. "Goes by" or "will go by" are appropriate for those situations. For example, instead of "Time went by fast now", use "Time goes by fast now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went by" primarily functions as a verb phrase indicating the passage of time or movement. Ludwig provides examples illustrating its use, such as "A week "went by"" or "A car "went by"".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went by" is a versatile verb phrase used to describe the passage of time or the movement of something past a point. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its common usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Whether you're describing how quickly "time went by" or noting that "a car went by", this phrase is a reliable choice for adding temporal and spatial context to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed

A direct synonym, focusing on the act of moving past a point or the elapsing of time.

elapsed

Emphasizes the passing of time, often used in more formal contexts.

flew by

Emphasizes the quickness with which time passed.

slipped away

Suggests a subtle or unnoticed passing of time or opportunity.

rolled on

Implies a continuous and often uneventful passing of time.

marched on

Suggests a steady and relentless passage of time.

moved along

Indicates a simple passing or progression, either in time or space.

advanced

Highlights forward progression in time or space.

progressed

Focuses on the development or advancement that occurs over time.

came and went

Highlights the transient nature of something, emphasizing its passing.

FAQs

How can I use "went by" in a sentence?

You can use "went by" to describe the passage of time, as in "Several years "went by"", or to describe something moving past a point, such as "A car "went by" quickly".

What's the difference between "went by" and "passed"?

"Went by" and "passed" are often interchangeable, but "went by" can imply a more casual or unnoticed passing of time, while "passed" can suggest a more formal or deliberate passing. For example, "The opportunity "passed"" suggests a missed chance, whereas "The time "went by"" simply indicates the passage of time.

What are some alternatives to "went by" when describing time?

Alternatives include "elapsed", "slipped away", or "flew by". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey about the passage of time.

Is it correct to say "time went by fast" or "time went by quickly"?

Both are grammatically correct. "Time "went by" fast" is more informal, while "time "went by" quickly" is more formal. The choice depends on the desired tone of your writing.