Passed vs Past: What’s the Difference?
Learn the difference between “passed” and “past” with clear explanations, examples, and tips to avoid common mistakes. Master when to use “passed vs past.”
In English, you may come across the words “passed” and “past.” While they sound similar, they have different meanings, uses, and grammatical roles. In this article, you’ll learn the difference between “passed” and “past,” when to use each, and how to avoid common mistakes.
What Does “Passed” Mean?
“Passed” is the past tense of the verb “pass.” You use it when describing the act of moving from one place to another, completing a test, or handing something to someone. Since it is a verb, it shows action.
Examples of “Passed”:
- She passed the driving test: This means she successfully completed her driving test.
- We passed the store on our way home: This means you went by the store.
- He passed the ball to his teammate: This means he handed or threw the ball.
In these examples, “passed” describes actions that have already happened. The key is that “passed” always functions as a verb.
When to Use “Passed”
Use “passed” when talking about an action completed in the past. It could involve moving by something, giving something to someone, or achieving something.
Examples of Actions:
- She passed her exams with flying colors: Here, it means she succeeded in her exams.
- They passed through security quickly: This shows movement through a space.
- I passed him the document: This shows an action of handing something over.
Whenever you’re describing a movement or an action that happened in the past, “passed” is the correct choice.
Common Mistakes With “Passed”
Sometimes, people mistakenly use “past” when they mean “passed.” This often happens because they sound alike. To avoid this, remember that “passed” is always a verb. If there’s no action, then “passed” probably isn’t correct.
Wrong:
- We past the school on our walk.
Correct:
- We passed the school on our walk.
What Does “Past” Mean?
“Past” is used as a noun, adjective, adverb, or preposition. Unlike “passed,” which is always a verb, “past” describes time, direction, or previous events.
Examples of “Past”:
- We live in the past: This means focusing on previous events (noun).
- The past year has been tough: Here, “past” refers to something that has already happened (adjective).
- He walked past me: This shows direction (preposition).
“Past” can describe anything that happened before the present moment or show a movement beyond something.
When to Use “Past”
You can use “past” in a variety of ways. It can function as a noun, adjective, preposition, and adverb. Let’s take a look at each case below:
How to Use “Past” as a Noun
As a noun, “past” refers to a time before now. It’s often used to talk about history or events that occurred earlier.
Examples:
- She can’t forget her past: This means she has trouble letting go of previous events.
- In the past, people used horses for travel: Here, “past” refers to a historical period.
- The past is full of lessons: Again, it refers to earlier events or times.
When “past” is a noun, it talks about what has already happened.
How to Use “Past” as an Adjective
When “past” functions as an adjective, it describes something that has already happened or something related to a previous time.
Examples:
- The past week was exhausting: Here, “past” describes a recent period of time.
- I’m past caring: This means the person no longer cares (they used to, but not anymore).
As an adjective, “past” helps describe a moment, feeling, or event that no longer affects the present.
How to Use “Past” as a Preposition
“Past” is often used as a preposition to show direction or location. When used this way, “past” shows that something has moved beyond a certain point.
Examples:
- He walked past the store: This means he moved beyond the store.
- We drove past the park: Here, “past” shows that you drove beyond the park.
- The runner went past the finish line: This means the runner crossed the finish line and kept going.
In each of these examples, “past” shows movement beyond a specific place or point.
How to Use “Past” as an Adverb
“Past” can also function as an adverb, modifying a verb by showing direction or time.
Examples:
- She ran past quickly: This means she ran beyond a certain point.
- Time flies by so fast; it’s already past noon: Here, “past” refers to the time after noon.
When used as an adverb, “past” describes a movement or time that has already happened.
Common Mistakes With “Past”
Just like with “passed,” people often confuse “past” with “passed” because of their similar sounds. The key difference is that “past” isn’t a verb. If you’re not describing an action, “past” is probably the right choice.
Wrong:
- He walked passed the house.
Correct:
- He walked past the house.
Comparing “Passed” vs “Past”
Let’s compare how “passed” and “past” work differently:
- He passed the test: Here, “passed” is a verb showing he completed a test.
- He walked past the test center: Here, “past” is a preposition showing movement beyond the test center.
Remember: “passed” always shows an action, while “past” shows time, direction, or an earlier state.
Tricks to Remember the Difference
- Remember “Passed” is a Verb: If you’re talking about an action—moving, handing over something, or achieving a goal—use “passed.”
- “Past” Refers to Time or Direction: Use “past” when you’re referring to something that happened earlier or showing movement beyond a point.
- Think of “Pass” + “Ed”: Since “passed” is the past form of “pass,” this should remind you that it’s a verb.
- Double-Check Your Sentence: If the sentence doesn’t describe an action, then “past” is likely the right choice. Read it back and see if it makes sense.
Conclusion: Passed vs Past
In summary, “passed” and “past” are two different words with unique uses. “Passed” is a verb used to describe actions in the past, while “past” works as a noun, adjective, adverb, or preposition that describes time, direction, or previous events.
By learning the specific functions of these words, you can avoid confusion and communicate more effectively.
Next time you’re writing or speaking, just remember: if there’s an action, it’s “passed,” and if it’s about time or direction, it’s “past.” Keep practicing and soon the difference between the two will become second nature.
Quiz: Test Your Knowledge of “Passed” vs “Past”
Let’s check your understanding. Try these sentences and see if you can choose the correct word:
- I __________ by your house on my way to work.
- She has __________ every exam this year.
- It’s already __________ midnight; time to sleep.
- We __________ through several small towns on our road trip.
- In the __________, people didn’t have access to technology like we do.
Answers:
- Passed
- Passed
- Past
- Passed
- Past
If you got all of these right, you’ve mastered the difference between “passed” and “past” and passed the test! If not, review the explanations above to sharpen your skills.
