walk past

Question

When to use it and what does it mean.For ex- when u walk past the bridge.

Fandorin · Accepted Answer

Hi, Intrigue. Welcome to EF.

"to walk past" means "to walk unhirriedly, without any purpose just for pleasure".

He walked past the beautiful garden where he used to play in his childhood.
She walked past (strolled around ) boulevard, looking for men to flirt with.

Tanit · Answer

Intrigue When to use it and what does it mean.For ex- when u walk past the bridge.

Hi and welcome here!

I think in your sentence "past" is a preposition referring to position, and meaning "beyond something", "at the farther side of something" etc.

Some definitions and examples from some dictionaries:

http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/past%5B2%5D at the farther side of : beyond b: in a course or direction going close to and then beyond
<drove past the house>

Oxford Adv. L.Dictionary on or to the other side of sb/sth:
We live in the house just past the church.
He hurried past them without stopping.
He just walked straight past us!

http://dictionary.cambridge.org/define.asp?key=57945&dict=CALD in or to a position that is beyond a particular point:
I live on Station Road, just past the post office.
Three boys went past us on mountain bikes.
Was that Peter who just jogged past in those bright pink shorts?

The American Heritage Dictionary Beyond in position; farther than:
The house is a mile past the first stoplight.
They walked past the memorial in silence.

Fandorin · Answer

Was I wrong with above? <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

CalifJim · Answer

to walk unhurriedly, without any purpose just for pleasure

FandorinWas I wrong with above?

I'm afraid you've added meaning that isn't there.
You can walk past someone very quickly for the purpose of avoiding having to talk to them.
That is certainly not just slowly or for pleasure.

CJ

Tanit · Answer

Hi,

FandorinWas I wrong with above?

Are you asking me?

I didn't say you were wrong because I honestly don't know. I am not aware of the meaning you offered, but this does not mean it's wrong (I leave it to a native speaker to answer your question).

I only offered my interpretation, which should be taken with a pinch of salt, as always ... as I am a learner, too.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In very simple terms, 'to walk past something' means to pass it on foot,

just as 'to drive past something' means to pass it in a vehicle.

I am assuming that you know what the verb 'to pass' means.

If you still don't understand, please post again.

Best wishes, Clive

Fandorin · Answer

TanitHi,
FandorinWas I wrong with above?

Are you asking me?

I didn't say you were wrong because I honestly don't know. I am not aware of the meaning you offered, but this does not mean it's wrong (I leave it to a native speaker to answer your question).

I only offered my interpretation, which should be taken with a pinch of salt, as always ... as I am a learner, too.

I think you're.

Anyway, any opinion will be appreciated and it doesn't matter whether to be native or not.

Yoong Liat · Answer

If I say "I pass your house every day", you won't know in what way I do it.

If I use 'past', it is possible to indicate in what way I do it.

I jog past your house every day.

I stroll past your house every day.

I walk past your house every day.

I hope the above helps.

Anonymous · Answer

In other words, past is an adverb describing how you walked or jogged. "Passed" is used when using the verb "to pass" in the past tense. Example:
I passed his house vs. I walked past his house. Cheers!

Anonymous · Answer

can I use "I walk 'pass' your house every day?  someone says that we can use 'pass' as an adverb or preposition. Is that correct?  Sorry, I'm not a native speaker.

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