Passed or Past

There is often confusion over the words ‘passed’ and ‘past’.

Passed

The word 'passed' is the past simple of the verb pass or the past participle of the verb:

She passed the exam with distinction. Pass = to be successful in a test
The secretary passed the message to me. Pass = hand over (give)
We'd passed the shop 5 times before we saw it.  Pass = to move past

And this is where the confusion can arise; pass can mean to move past. Other verbs with past show movement – run past, sail past, walk past, drove past etc. The important thing to remember is that 'past' in there phrases is not the verb. If you use the verb then it is always the past tense of pass, 'passed'.

Past

The word 'past' has several uses. It can be used as an adjective, an adverb, a noun or a preposition. 'Past' is usually related to a time before the present or to indicate movement  - from one side of a point to another.

Past – adjective

This past month was a difficult time for me.

Past – noun

Thankfully all the trouble we had with the neighbours is all in the past.

Past – adverb

John ran past. He didn't even see us.

Past – preposition

Walk down the road past the post office. (Past = beyond)
Alan ran past us without even seeing us. (Past = from one side of 'us' to another)

Lesson by Tristan, teacher at EC Malta English school

Now complete the following with 'passed' or 'past':

• 1. The _ has a habit of repeating itself.
  
  passed
  past
  
  
• 2. I got Peter's message and _ it on to Sarah.
  
  past
  passed
  
  
• 3. To go to the bus stop just walk down this road and take a left _ the ATM.
  
  passed
  past
  
  
• 4. He _ his driving test after five attempts.
  
  past
  passed
  
  
• 5. We walked _ the bar to see if it was busy before we walked in.
  
  passed
  past
  
  
• 6. It's _ time we went on a holiday.
  
  passed
  past