English Reference

Phrasal verb

pass by

Irregular verb

Forms

Infinitive

pass by

Past

passed by

Past participle

passed by

Definition

phrasal verb. To go past a person or place while you are moving. You use this when you do not stop to talk or visit.

phrasal verb. To move past a person, place, or object without stopping. The verb functions as an intransitive phrasal verb or as a transitive unit taking a spatial object.

Examples

“I saw him pass by the office.”

“Many tourists pass by the small museum without realizing it contains famous paintings.”

“The stream of traffic continued to pass by the accident site, oblivious to the emergency workers struggling to clear the debris from the road.”

Examples

simple

“I saw him pass by the office.”

contextual

“Many tourists pass by the small museum without realizing it contains famous paintings.”

complex

“The stream of traffic continued to pass by the accident site, oblivious to the emergency workers struggling to clear the debris from the road.”

Usage

Use this phrase when you want to emphasize that someone is moving past a point without stopping.

Teaching tip

Contrast with 'pass' in the context of exams or success to prevent learners from using 'pass by' for achievements.

Pitfall

I passed by the exam.

I passed the exam.

Learners often add 'by' when they mean they were successful in a test, but 'pass by' only refers to physical movement.

Phrasal verb

Particles

by

Separability

inseparable

Pattern

pass + by (+ object)

Synonyms

go pastmove pastbypass

Antonyms

stopstay

Grammar

Phrasal verbs (introduction)

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
Frequency
Very common
Level
B1 · Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/pass-by
English Reference