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passed ~ past

“Passed” is the past and the past participle form of the verb word ‘pass’  — pass – passed – passed – passing —  is ‘to move, to go forward or beyond; to give something (things, news, messages) to someone; to qualify; to be successful in an examination’,

e.g.

I was standing there for him but he just passed me without looking at me.

She passed all her degree examinations.

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“Past” (noun, adjective, preposition & adverb) is ‘the time before the present; after; up to the particular place and beyond’,

{Note: ‘Past’ is not the past tense form of the verb word ‘pass’.}

e.g.

The time now is ten past four.  [i.e. ten minutes after four O’clock = 4:10]

He has not seen her for the past three days.

Kingdoms were at war very often in the past.

He went past her without any greetings.

Compare:

We waited there eagerly, but an hour passed without any news.

He passed her without any greetings.

Common Error:

1.

She passed the night at a friend’s (house).   [wrong]

She spent the night at a friend’s (house).     [right]

2.

They passed their Christmas holidays in Rome.  [wrong]

They spent their Christmas holidays in Rome.    [right]

3.

It has passed almost a year since they first met each other.  [wrong]

It’s (It is) almost a year since they first met each other.         [right]

4.

He was only a child when his mother past away.    [ i.e. when his mother died]  [wrong]

He was only a child when his mother passed away.   [right]

5.

It was well/a little past ten at night when the game finished.   [wrong]

It was well/a little after ten at night when the game finished.  [right]

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