went past

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "went past" is correct and usable in written English.
To use the phrase "went past" in a sentence, you can say something like: "As I walked along the street, I went past the local grocery store."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

"It went past midnight.

The New York Times

A car went past, blaring pop music.

The New Yorker

A white refrigerated truck went past.

The New Yorker

Look, the models went past quickly, OK?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

After a few minutes, a foot patrol went past.

The New Yorker

But the announcer went past fourth and I thought, oh.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

I go past golf courses.

The New Yorker

"We're going past Dumpsters.

The New York Times - Travel

Lots of traffic still goes past here.

The New York Times

Her passion goes past commentary on officiating.

The New York Times - Sports

There's another one to go past".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing movement, consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Went past" is suitable for general movement, but alternatives like "moved beyond" or "exceeded" can provide more specific meaning depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "went past to" when you mean "went to". "Went past" already implies movement beyond a point, so adding "to" creates redundancy.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "went past" primarily functions as a phrasal verb. It describes the action of moving beyond a specific point or surpassing a limit. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and common in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

5%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "went past" is a grammatically sound and common phrasal verb used to describe movement beyond a specific point or surpassing a limit. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use. Predominantly found in news and media sources, its neutral register makes it suitable for various writing styles. When using "went past", ensure correct preposition usage and consider alternatives like ""passed by"" or ""moved beyond"" for nuanced meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

passed by

Emphasizes the act of moving alongside something.

moved beyond

Focuses on progressing beyond a certain stage or limit.

advanced past

Highlights forward movement and surpassing a specific point.

exceeded

Implies surpassing a defined limit or expectation.

surpassed

Suggests going beyond in terms of achievement or quality.

left behind

Indicates moving forward and leaving something in the past.

outstripped

Conveys the idea of exceeding or surpassing in speed or progress.

overtook

Implies catching up and moving ahead of something or someone.

transcended

Suggests rising above or going beyond limitations.

climbed past

It indicates advancing past with clear effort and going further up or beyond a point.

FAQs

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

You can use "went past" to describe the action of moving beyond something. For example, "The car "passed by" the house", or "The deadline "moved beyond" the initial estimate".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "went past"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "passed by", "moved beyond", or "exceeded".

Is it correct to say "went past of" instead of "went past"?

No, it is incorrect to use "of" after "went past". The correct phrase is simply "went past".

What is the difference between "went past" and "passed by"?

While both phrases are similar, "went past" generally indicates a simple act of moving beyond something, while ""passed by"" can also imply a casual or unnoticed movement.