pass by — to go past someone or something
phrasal verbB1IELTS 5+neutralcommon
To move near and go past a person, place, or thing, usually while continuing in the same direction.
Say it like a native
Textbook I happened to traverse the area in front of your residence.
Native I was just passing by your place.
'Traverse the area in front of your residence' is absurd; 'pass by' is plain.
Pattern: pass by (someone/something)
In use
- I saw her pass by my house on her way to work this morning.daily life
- During my commute, I pass by several interesting buildings every day.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ I passed by from the shop on my way.
✓ I passed by the shop on my way.
'Pass by' takes the place directly — no 'from'.
Common collocations
pass by— pass by, passing by, just passing, pass by the
Don't confuse it
Not the same as 'pass away' (to die) or 'pass out' (to faint).