To Walk Past (or Past): Common Mistake

One of the commonly misused phrases in the English language is "to walk passed." Many people mistakenly use the word "passed" instead of "past." While the two words might sound similar, they have different meanings and should be used in different contexts.

The Difference Between "To Walk Past" and "To Walk Passed"

The word "past" is a preposition, adjective, or adverb that refers to a time or location that is gone or behind. In the context of walking, it means moving by something or someone without stopping or engaging with it.

For example:

• "I saw John walking past the store without stopping."
• "The car drove past us at a high speed."

On the other hand, the word "passed" is the past tense and past participle of the verb "pass," which means moving in front of or beyond something or someone. It often implies that an action has been completed or that someone has been surpassed or overtaken.

For example:

• "I passed the store on my way to work this morning."
• "The runner passed all the other competitors and took first place."

The Correct Usage

If you want to express the act of walking by or moving in front of something without stopping, the correct phrase to use is "to walk past."

Remember:

• "I walked past the park on my way home."
• "He walks past my house every morning."

However, if you want to indicate that something or someone has moved in front of or beyond a particular point, you should use "passed."

For example:

• "The train passed the station without stopping."
• "She passed the finish line with a big smile on her face."

It's important to pay attention to these small nuances in grammar to ensure that your communication is clear and accurate.

Linguix grammar checker can be a helpful tool to avoid making mistakes like confusing "to walk past" with "to walk passed." It provides real-time suggestions and explanations to improve your writing and enhance your language skills.