went by us

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went by us" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that passed or moved past a group of people or an individual. Example: "As we stood on the sidewalk, a parade went by us, filled with colorful floats and cheerful music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

"When we crowded him, he went by us.

The New York Times

"He went by us so fast I could feel the breeze," Mr. Lewis recalled.

The New York Times

Cash Asmussen, the rider on Snuck In, said, "When Red Bullet went by us, it was like, whoosh".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

I must point out that not a day went by without us trying various ways to bring Gilad home, any way possible, and that didn't work either.

The New York Times

Give parents permission to let go by telling us exactly what kids must do on their own and take the pressure off us to create a masterpiece.

Huffington Post

"That doesn't excuse us for people going by us.

The New York Times - Sports

I don't want him going by us.

The New York Times - Sports

"Believe me, we could have went another round; they wouldn't have gone by us.

The New York Times - Sports

"We're not going to sit out and watch the market going by us," said Alan Batey, head of G.M.'s sales in the United States.

The New York Times

Dickson added: "They were just leaving us for dead out the start and when they didn't, they seemed to go by us as well.

BBC

"It feels amazing, we made a promise to not let anything go by us and nothing did," Zeenni said.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "went by us" when you want to describe something or someone physically moving past your location or group. It often implies a sense of being observed or affected by the passing.

Common error

While similar, "passed us" is more straightforward. "Went by us" can sometimes imply a missed opportunity or a sense of being left behind, which "passed us" does not necessarily convey. Choose the phrase that best fits the nuance you intend.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went by us" functions as a verbal phrase within a sentence, describing an action of movement relative to the speaker or a group. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "went by us" is a grammatically sound and usable expression to describe the act of something or someone moving past a location where "us" is situated. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It functions as a verbal phrase, conveying observation or a feeling of being overtaken. While similar to "passed us", it can carry a subtle implication of a missed opportunity. Found predominantly in News & Media sources, the phrase maintains a neutral register. Alternatives like "passed us", "moved past us", and "left us behind" offer nuanced variations, depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed us

Replaces "went by" with a more direct synonym, indicating movement past a point.

went past us

A slight variation with 'past' adding emphasis on the action of passing.

overtook us

Implies a faster movement and surpassing, often used in a competitive context.

moved past us

A more literal and descriptive alternative, focusing on the act of moving beyond a location.

left us behind

Highlights the aspect of being outpaced or left in the wake of something.

shot past us

Implies a very rapid and sudden passing.

rushed by us

Highlights the speed and haste with which something moved past.

bypassed us

Suggests avoiding or going around something, rather than directly passing.

sailed past us

Emphasizes a smooth and effortless passing, often used metaphorically.

swept past us

Conveys a sense of powerful and encompassing movement.

FAQs

What does "went by us" mean?

The phrase "went by us" means something or someone moved past a particular location where "us" is situated. It indicates a passing in close proximity.

When should I use "went by us" in a sentence?

Use "went by us" when you want to emphasize the act of something passing your location, often implying a sense of observation or missed opportunity. For a direct synonym, consider "passed us".

Is there a difference between "went by us" and "passed us"?

While very similar, "went by us" can sometimes subtly suggest a feeling of being left behind or that an opportunity was missed, whereas "passed us" is a more neutral description of movement.

What are some alternatives to "went by us"?

Alternatives include "moved past us", "overtook us", or "left us behind", depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.