Pass sth by Meaning / Examples / How to Use

What Does “Pass sth by” Mean?

“Pass sth by” means to ignore or not notice something, or to allow something to go without reacting to it.

Introduction

The phrasal verb “pass sth by” is commonly used in English to describe situations where something is overlooked or ignored, either intentionally or accidentally. Understanding the “pass sth by meaning” helps learners recognize when someone does not react to an event, comment, or opportunity. This phrase is useful in everyday conversations, especially when discussing missed chances or unacknowledged information. Knowing how to use “pass sth by” will improve your ability to express subtle actions related to ignoring or overlooking things in both formal and informal contexts.

Quick Info Box

• Phrasal verb: pass sth by (pass something by)
• Type: Transitive
• Level: B2
• Short meaning: To ignore or not notice something

Structure (Grammar Rules)

“Pass sth by” is a transitive and separable phrasal verb. You can separate the verb and the object or keep them together depending on the sentence.

• Pass something by (object after the phrasal verb): She passed the opportunity by.
• Pass something by (object between verb and particle): She passed the opportunity by.

Note: In most cases, the object (sth) comes right after “pass” and before “by.”

How to Use “Pass sth by”?

You use “pass sth by” when you want to say that someone ignored or did not notice something important. It often refers to chances, comments, or events that were not acknowledged. It can be used in both formal and informal settings. For example, you might say someone “passed an opportunity by” if they did not take advantage of it.

Examples

Imagine you told a joke, but no one laughed or reacted. You could say the joke was “passed by” without notice.

• He passed the warning by and didn’t prepare for the storm.
• She passed the chance to speak up by, and later regretted it.
• The manager passed the idea by without giving it much thought.
• Don’t pass this opportunity by; it could change your life.
• Sometimes people pass important signs by without realizing it.

These examples show how “pass sth by in a sentence” works to express ignoring or missing something.

Common Mistakes

Sometimes learners confuse “pass sth by” with other phrasal verbs or use it incorrectly by changing its structure.

• Incorrect: He passed by the opportunity.
• Correct: He passed the opportunity by.
• Incorrect: She passed by the chance.
• Correct: She passed the chance by.

Remember, the object must come between “pass” and “by,” not after “by” alone.

Differences / Synonyms

“Pass sth by” is similar to “ignore” or “overlook,” but with a slight difference. “Ignore” means to deliberately not pay attention, while “pass sth by” can mean either ignoring or missing something unintentionally.

• Ignore: To choose not to notice something.
• Overlook: To fail to notice something accidentally.
• Pass sth by: To miss or ignore something, either intentionally or unintentionally.

For example, “She ignored the advice” suggests a deliberate choice, while “She passed the advice by” can mean she did not notice or did not react to it.

Common Collocations

“Pass sth by” is often used with certain nouns that describe things being ignored or missed. Here are common collocations:

• Pass an opportunity by – miss a chance
• Pass a comment by – ignore a remark
• Pass a warning by – not respond to advice
• Pass a message by – overlook information
• Pass a suggestion by – ignore an idea

Related Phrasal Verbs

Here are related phrasal verbs of pass sth by:

• Pass Sb On To Sb
• Pass Sb Sth On
• Pass By Sth
• Pass Sth Round
• Pass Sb Off As Sth

Real-life Dialogue

Here is a short conversation showing “pass sth by” in use:

Anna: Did you hear what John said about the deadline?

Ben: No, I think I passed that by. What did he say?

Anna: He said we need to finish the project by Friday.

Ben: Oh, I better get started then. I didn’t realize that!

Practice

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “pass sth by”:

• She ______ the opportunity ______ and now she regrets it.
• Don’t ______ the warning ______; it’s important.
• He ______ my comment ______ as if he didn’t hear me.

Answers:

• passed / by
• pass / by
• passed / by

FAQs

• What does “pass sth by” mean? It means to ignore or not notice something.
• Is “pass sth by” formal or informal? It can be used in both formal and informal situations.
• Can I separate “pass” and “by”? No, the object should come between “pass” and “by.”
• What is a synonym for “pass sth by”? Similar words include ignore and overlook.
• Can “pass sth by” be used with people? Usually, it is used with things like opportunities or comments, not people.