went by fast

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went by fast" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something that happened quickly and is now in the past, like a fun event or a weekend. Example sentence: The weekend went by fast, but I'm glad I got to spend some quality time with my family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

"It definitely went by fast.

Los Angeles Times

"That went by fast".

The New York Times - Tech

"Forty went by fast," he says.

Independent

The years sure went by fast.

The New York Times

"It went by fast," said Bryant.

The New York Times - Sports

Like the free fall, the landing also went by fast.

Princeton University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

It's not brushy painting with hyperrealism and cars going by fast.

The New York Times

Life goes by fast.

Huffington Post

This career goes by fast.

Huffington Post

The days went by too fast.

The Guardian - Travel

Class went by faster".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went by fast" when you want to convey that a period of time felt shorter than it actually was, often due to enjoyment or being busy. For example, "The vacation went by fast because we were having so much fun."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "went by fast" can sound too informal for academic papers or business reports. Opt for phrases like "elapsed quickly" or "passed rapidly" in these situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went by fast" functions as a descriptor indicating the perceived duration of a past event or period. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It suggests that the time in question passed quickly from the speaker's perspective.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "went by fast" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to describe the subjective experience of time passing quickly. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for various contexts, particularly in news and media, and less so in formal academic or professional settings. For more formal situations, alternatives like "passed quickly" or "elapsed rapidly" may be more appropriate. It's crucial to consider the audience and context when choosing the best way to convey the feeling that time seemed to fly. The phrase's frequency and consistent usage across reliable sources highlight its acceptance and understandability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flew by

Emphasizes the effortless and rapid nature of time passing.

sped by

Uses a more dynamic verb to convey the quick passage of time.

passed quickly

Emphasizes the speed of passing, using a more formal tone.

raced past

Implies an even greater sense of speed and momentum.

progressed rapidly

Emphasizes the rapid progress or advancement of time.

elapsed rapidly

Highlights the rapid nature of the time that has gone by, suitable for formal contexts.

moved swiftly

Highlights the swift and efficient progression of time.

whizzed by

Offers a more informal and playful way to describe the fast passage of time.

vanished quickly

Focuses on the disappearance of time or an event, highlighting its brevity.

slipped away

Suggests a subtle and almost unnoticed passage of time.

FAQs

What does "went by fast" mean?

The phrase "went by fast" means that a period of time seemed to pass very quickly. It's often used to express that time felt shorter than it actually was, typically due to enjoyment or being occupied.

What are some alternatives to saying "went by fast"?

You can use alternatives such as "passed quickly", "flew by", or "elapsed rapidly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "time goes by fast"?

Yes, it is correct to say "time goes by fast". It's a common and grammatically sound way to express that time seems to move quickly. The past tense version is "time went by fast".

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

You can use "went by fast" in a sentence like, "The summer vacation went by fast," or "The project deadline went by fast, and we barely finished on time."