When to Use Past vs Passed: Definitions and Examples

Many English learners get confused between past vs passed because they sound similar, but they have very different meanings and uses.

Understanding the difference between these words is important for improving your English writing and speaking skills. In this article, you will learn:
✅ The meanings of past and passed
✅ The key differences between the two
✅ How to use each word correctly with examples
✅ Common phrases and expressions with past and passed

Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all!

Definition of Past

The word past can be used as a noun, adjective, adverb, or preposition. It generally refers to something that happened before now or something that has already gone by.

Past as a Noun

When used as a noun, past refers to a previous time or events that have already happened.

✔ Example:

• We should learn from the past and not repeat our mistakes.
• In the past, people used letters to communicate.

Past as an Adjective

When used as an adjective, past describes something that is gone or finished.

✔ Example:

• The past year was full of challenges.
• She has forgotten her past relationships.

Past as an Adverb

As an adverb, past means moving beyond something.

✔ Example:

• The car drove past my house.
• He walked past me without saying hello.

Past as a Preposition

When used as a preposition, past means beyond a particular place or time.

✔ Example:

• It’s already past midnight.
• We walked past the school on our way home.

Examples of Past

• My grandmother passed away in January.
• The filly passed us at a trot, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
• He passed the baton to his young and talented predecessor.
• Excitement passed through the crowd with mere minutes remaining in the match.

The definition of Passed

The word passed is the past tense of the verb “pass.” It means to move in a particular direction, succeed, or transfer something.

Passes as a Verb

Example (Moving in a direction):

• The bus passed my street five minutes ago.
• She passed me on the way to work.

Example (Succeeding in something):

• I passed my English exam with a high score.
• He finally passed his driving test.

Example (Transferring something):

• She passed the salt to me at the dinner table.
• The teacher passed out the test papers.

If you can replace “passed” with “went by” or “moved by,” then “passed” is the correct word!

Meanings of Passed

• to move or proceed
• to be transferred
• to throw or kick (a ball)
• To go away
• To die (with religious connotations)
• To give up control 
• To decline to speak or bid
• to be confirmed as a law or rule
• to go from one state of being to another

Examples of Passed 

• She liked to reminisce about the past and recall happier times.
• They couldn’t move past the car that was blocking the road.
• Ada’s past year of voracious reading has turned her into a real expert on film history.
• I think we are past the point of no retur.

Key Differences Between Past vs Passed

Now that we understand the meanings, let’s compare past vs passed clearly:

💡 Quick Trick:

• If the sentence talks about time, history, or movement beyond a place, use past.
• If the sentence talks about movement, success, or giving something, use passed.

When to Use Past vs Passed in Sentences

Using “Past” in Different Contexts

✔ Example Sentences:

• We cannot change the past, but we can shape our future. (Noun)
• The past week has been very busy. (Adjective)
• He walked past me without noticing. (Adverb)
• It is already past midnight. (Preposition)

Using “Passed” in Different Contexts

✔ Example Sentences:

• She passed me a note in class. (Verb – action)
• The train just passed our station. (Verb – movement)
• I passed my English test! (Verb – success)
• He passed the ball to his teammate. (Verb – transferring something)

Past vs Passed: Common Phrases and Expressions

English has many common expressions that use past and passed.

Common Expressions with “Past”

• “Let bygones be bygones” (Forget the past)
  Example: Forget the argument, let the past be the past.
• “A thing of the past” (Something that no longer exists)
  Example: CDs are a thing of the past.

Common Expressions with “Passed”

• “Passed away” (A polite way to say someone died)
  Example: My grandfather passed away last year.
• “Passed out” (Fainted)
  Example: He passed out because he was so tired.
• “Passed down” (Given to the next generation)
  Example: This necklace was passed down from my grandmother.

Past vs. Passed Examples

Examples of past

• She liked to reminisce about the past and recall happier times.
• They couldn’t move past the car that was blocking the road.
• Ada’s past year of voracious reading has turned her into a real expert on film history.
• I think we are past the point of no retur.

Examples of passed

• My grandmother passed away in January.
• The filly passed us at a trot, leaving a trail of dust in her wake.
• He passed the baton to his young and talented predecessor.
• Excitement passed through the crowd with mere minutes remaining in the match.

Quick Tips to Remember the Difference

✔ If it is about time, history, or going beyond something, use “past”.
✔ If it is about moving, succeeding, or handing something, use “passed”.

💡 Memory Trick:

• “Past” relates to history (H for History and H for Past).
• “Passed” relates to action (A for Action and A for Passed).

Try using these words in your own sentences for better understanding!

Conclusion

Understanding past vs passed is important for using English correctly.

✔ “Past” refers to time, movement beyond something, or history.
✔ “Passed” refers to an action of passing, moving, or succeeding.

Now that you know the difference, practice writing sentences using past vs passed to improve your skills!