Past vs Pass: When To Use Each One? What To Consider

Are you tired of getting confused between past and pass? Do you want to know the difference between the two? If yes, then this article is for you. In this article, we will discuss the proper usage of these two words and their meanings.

We should understand which of the two is the proper word. Both past and pass are proper words, but they have different meanings. Past refers to a time that has gone by, while pass means to move past something or to give permission to do something.

The word past is used to refer to a time that has gone by. For example, “I visited Paris last year” – the word last year refers to a time in the past. Similarly, “He was a great musician in the past” – the word past refers to a time in the past.

The word pass, on the other hand, means to move past something or to give permission to do something. For example, “I need to pass this exam to get my degree” – the word pass means to succeed or to get through something. Similarly, “The security guard allowed me to pass through the gate” – the word pass means to move through something.

Now that we have understood the meanings of these two words, let’s delve deeper into their usage and common mistakes people make while using them.

Define Past

Past is a noun that refers to the time that has already happened or a period of time that has already occurred. It can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has already happened or existed in the past. For example, “She reminisced about her past experiences” or “The past week has been very busy.”

Define Pass

Pass is a verb that can have multiple meanings depending on the context. It can mean to move in a particular direction or to go by or beyond something. It can also mean to succeed in an exam or test, or to give permission for something to happen. For example, “The car passed the truck on the highway” or “I need to pass this test to graduate.”

In sports, pass can also refer to the act of throwing or kicking a ball to a teammate during a game. For example, “He made a great pass to his teammate, who then scored a goal.”

Additionally, pass can be used as a noun to refer to a ticket or permit that allows someone to enter a particular place or to do something. For example, “He showed his pass to the security guard to enter the building.”

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Using the correct words in a sentence is crucial in conveying your message accurately. Two commonly confused words are “past” and “pass.” Although they may sound similar, they have different meanings and uses in a sentence. In this section, we will explore how to properly use these words in a sentence.

How To Use “Past” In A Sentence

“Past” is a preposition, an adjective, and a noun. It refers to a time that has already occurred or something that has gone by. Here are some examples of how to use “past” in a sentence:

• The car drove past the stop sign.
• She reminisced about her past experiences.
• We walked past the old building.

As an adjective, “past” can describe something that has already happened or is over. For example:

• The past year has been challenging for many people.
• He is focused on his past mistakes.
• The company’s past success is impressive.

As a noun, “past” refers to a time that has already happened. For example:

• The past is behind us, let’s focus on the future.
• She has a deep understanding of the country’s past.
• We can learn from the mistakes of the past.

How To Use “Pass” In A Sentence

“Pass” is a verb that means to move past something or to give approval. Here are some examples of how to use “pass” in a sentence:

• The car will pass the slower vehicle on the left.
• He needs to pass the exam to graduate.
• She asked the teacher to pass the papers out.

“Pass” can also mean to give something to someone or to spend time. For example:

• He passed the ball to his teammate.
• She passed the time by reading a book.
• They passed the torch to the next generation.

It is important to note that “passed” is the past tense of “pass.” For example:

• She passed the exam with flying colors.
• He passed away peacefully in his sleep.
• They passed the legislation last week.

More Examples Of Past & Pass Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide more examples of how to use “past” and “pass” in sentences. These examples will help you understand the proper context and usage of these two commonly confused words.

Examples Of Using “Past” In A Sentence

• She walked past the store without even noticing it.
• I can’t believe how fast the past few years have gone by.
• He was living in the past and couldn’t move on from his mistakes.
• She was a past winner of the competition.
• The past is behind us, we need to focus on the future.
• He left his past behind and started a new life.
• She has been working at the company for the past ten years.
• He was reminiscing about his past experiences.
• She was a past president of the organization.
• The past can be a great teacher if we learn from it.

Examples Of Using “Pass” In A Sentence

• She had to pass a series of tests to get her driver’s license.
• He passed the ball to his teammate for the winning goal.
• She passed the exam with flying colors.
• He passed the building every day on his way to work.
• She was able to pass the difficult course with the help of a tutor.
• He passed the torch to the next generation of leaders.
• She had to pass through security before boarding the plane.
• He passed away peacefully in his sleep.
• She passed the baton to her teammate during the relay race.
• He had to pass a background check before getting the job.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to the English language, there are many words that sound similar but have different meanings. This can lead to confusion and mistakes, especially when it comes to past and pass. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:

Using “Past” Instead Of “Pass”

One common mistake is using “past” instead of “pass” when referring to moving by someone or something. For example, saying “I need to past the ball” instead of “I need to pass the ball” is incorrect. The correct usage of “past” refers to a time that has already happened, such as “I ate breakfast past 9:00 am.”

Using “Pass” Instead Of “Past”

Another common mistake is using “pass” instead of “past” when referring to a time that has already happened. For example, saying “I saw her pass weekend” instead of “I saw her last weekend” is incorrect. The correct usage of “pass” refers to moving by someone or something, such as “I need to pass the car in front of me.”

Using “Passed” Instead Of “Past”

Many people also make the mistake of using “passed” instead of “past” when referring to a time that has already happened. For example, saying “I saw her passed weekend” instead of “I saw her last weekend” is incorrect. The correct usage of “passed” refers to the act of passing by someone or something, such as “I passed the car in front of me.”

To avoid making these mistakes in the future, it is important to take the time to learn and understand the correct usage of past and pass. You can also use tools such as grammar checkers and dictionaries to ensure that you are using the correct word in the correct context.

Context Matters

Choosing between the words “past” and “pass” can be a tricky task, as it depends on the context in which they are used. Both words have different meanings, and using the wrong one can change the entire meaning of the sentence.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “past” and “pass” might change:

Context	Example Sentence	Correct Word Choice
Time	I walked past the store yesterday.	past
Approval	The teacher gave me a pass on the exam.	pass
Motion	The ball rolled past the goalpost.	past
Permission	Can you pass me the salt, please?	pass

As you can see from the examples above, the choice between “past” and “pass” depends on the context in which they are used. In the context of time or motion, “past” is the correct word choice. However, in the context of approval or permission, “pass” is the correct word choice.

It is important to understand the context in which these words are used to avoid any confusion or misunderstandings in your writing.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using past and pass are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions where they might not apply. Here are a few instances where these rules might not hold:

1. Phrasal Verbs

Phrasal verbs are often a source of confusion when it comes to using past and pass. In some cases, the verb changes meaning depending on whether past or pass is used. For example:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning with “Past”	Meaning with “Pass”
Pass away	To die	To go by or move past something
Pass out	To lose consciousness	To distribute or hand out something
Pass up	To decline or reject an opportunity	To go by or move past something without taking action

2. Idiomatic Expressions

Idiomatic expressions are phrases that have a meaning that is not necessarily related to the literal meaning of the words. In some cases, these expressions might use past or pass in a way that is not consistent with the usual rules. For example:

• Let bygones be bygones: This means to forget about past disagreements or conflicts and move on. The use of “bygones” is an idiomatic expression that does not follow the usual rules for using past or pass.
• Pass the buck: This means to shift responsibility or blame to someone else. The use of “pass” in this expression is idiomatic and does not follow the usual rules for using past or pass.

3. Regional Variations

English is spoken in many different parts of the world, and there are regional variations in the way that past and pass are used. For example, in some parts of the United States, it is common to use “passed” instead of “past” in certain contexts. Similarly, in some parts of the United Kingdom, “past” might be used in a way that is not consistent with the usual rules.

While these exceptions might seem confusing at first, it is important to remember that context is key. By paying attention to the meaning of the sentence and the context in which past or pass is being used, it is usually possible to determine the correct usage.

Practice Exercises

Practicing the use of past and pass in sentences can greatly improve one’s writing skills. Here are some exercises to help you master the difference between the two:

Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank

Choose the correct word (past or pass) to fill in the blank in the following sentences:

1. Yesterday, I ________ my driving test.
2. Can you ________ me the salt, please?
3. He walked ________ the store on his way home.
4. I can’t believe how quickly time has ________.
5. She ________ the ball to her teammate.

Answer Key:

1. passed
2. pass
3. past
4. passed
5. passed

Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentence

Rewrite the following sentences using the correct form of past or pass:

1. The car drove me by.
2. I walked her the ball.
3. He is going to his driving test tomorrow.
4. The time went quickly.
5. Can you me the salt?

Answer Key:

1. The car drove past me.
2. I passed the ball to her.
3. He is going to take his driving test tomorrow.
4. The time passed quickly.
5. Can you pass me the salt?

By practicing these exercises, you can improve your understanding and use of past and pass in sentences. Keep in mind that past is used to refer to a time that has already happened, while pass is used to indicate movement or the act of giving something to someone.

Conclusion

After exploring the differences between “past” and “pass,” it is clear that these two words have distinct meanings and should not be used interchangeably. While “past” refers to a time that has already occurred, “pass” can mean to move past something or to give permission to do so.

It is important to pay attention to the context in which these words are used to ensure that the intended meaning is conveyed. Misusing these words can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.

Key Takeaways

• “Past” refers to a time that has already occurred
• “Pass” can mean to move past something or to give permission to do so
• These words should not be used interchangeably
• Pay attention to the context in which these words are used to ensure the intended meaning is conveyed

Overall, understanding grammar and language use is important for effective communication. It is encouraged to continue learning and expanding your knowledge in these areas.