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Mr. Tom Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

The use of "past"

Hi

Could you please tell me if my use of the word "past" in the sense of "in front of" is natural here? I am writing a short story about a lone girl who stands in her balcony every morning and looks down at the quiet street and the few people who walk past her house. Somehow I'm unable to handle these sentences. Please have a look. ANY SUGGESTIONS ARE WELCOME!

Every morning she would stand in her balcony and look down at the quiet street, at the few dispersed people who walked past her house, without paying a scrap of attention to her.

Every morning she would stand in her balcony and look down at the quiet street, at the few dispersed people who walked (away?) from in front of her house, without paying a scrap of attention to her.

Thanks,

Tom
  

Top answer

walked past her house is fine. The other version is all twisted. Don't use that one.

— CalifJim

  • walked past her house is fine.
  • The other version is all twisted.
  • Don't use that one.
  • dispersed is the wrong word choice there, by the way.
  • I'm not sure what you're trying for there.
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3 Answers
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walked past her house is fine. The other version is all twisted. Don't use that one.

dispersed is the wrong word choice there, by the way. I'm not sure what you're trying for there.

CJ
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I have NEVER received such a prompt reply, CJ. Many thanks!

So, do you find this sentence OK, too?

Although he drove past my house, he didn't have the courtesy to drop by and ask after my ailing father.

Thanks,

Tom
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Yes. walked past, drove past, ran past. Any of those verbs of motion can go with past.

CJ
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