pass through + place
Moving across or inside something
Pass through describes movement from one side or stage to another.
The river passes through the city.
Pass through, by, on, in or to
Different prepositions after pass change the meaning. Some refer to movement, while others describe transfer or location.
Quick answer
How do you use pass with prepositions?
Use pass through for movement across an area, pass by for going past something, pass on for transferring information or objects, and pass to for giving something to someone. Pass in is uncommon as a fixed combination and often introduces a place phrase.
We passed through the tunnel.
She passed by without speaking.
Please pass on the message.
She passed by without speaking.
Please pass on the message.
Choose the pattern by meaning
These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.
pass on + object/information
Giving or transferring something
Pass on means to transfer news, objects, or responsibilities.
Can you pass on this email?
See the difference in context
The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.
Construction
Example
Meaning
pass through
The train passed through the village.
move across or inside a place
pass by
I watched the cars pass by.
go past without stopping
pass on
She passed on the instructions.
transfer information or objects
pass in
They passed in silence through the hall.
in often introduces a manner or place phrase rather than forming a fixed verb combination
pass to
He passed the ball to Maria.
give or direct something toward someone
Common mistakes
Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.
Confusing pass by and pass through
Pass by means go past. Pass through means move across or within.
✕ We passed by the tunnel to reach the other side. ✓ We passed through the tunnel to reach the other side.Using pass on for physical movement
Pass on usually means transfer or continue onward, not simply move past.
✕ The bus passed on the bridge. ✓ The bus passed over the bridge.Quick practice
Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.
1. The hikers ___ the forest before sunset.
2. Please ___ this note to the manager.
3. We waved as the parade ___ our house.
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Frequently asked questions
Is pass in a standard phrasal verb?
Not usually. In often belongs to a separate phrase such as in silence or in the hallway.
What is the difference between pass by and pass through?
Pass by means go past something, while pass through means move across or inside it.
Can pass on mean die?
Yes. In some contexts, pass on is a polite expression for dying.
Related preposition guides
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