Same sound, different use
passed vs past
Same sound, different meaning and spelling
Passed is the past tense and participle of pass. Past refers to an earlier time or movement beyond something and can have several grammatical roles.
Context decides
Find the verb before choosing the ending
The words sound the same, so identify whether the sentence describes the action of passing.
Past-tense verb: passed
Use passed when pass is the action, including succeeding, moving by, or handing something.
She passed the library on her way home.
Earlier or beyond: past
Use past for former time, something previous, or movement beyond a point.
She walked past the library.
Direct answer
What is the difference?
Use passed only as a verb: someone passed a test, passed a building, or has passed an object. Use past as a noun, adjective, adverb, or preposition connected with earlier time or a position beyond. Replacing the word with went by or handed can often confirm the verb passed.
Optional listening · American English
Hear the shared pronunciation
These terms share a standard pronunciation. Use the recordings to learn the sound, then use meaning and context to choose the spelling.
Word 1
passed
verb form
The past tense and past participle of pass.
US pronunciation
/pæst/
UK IPA
/pɑːst/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
The -ed ending becomes an unvoiced T after S, producing the same final ST cluster as past.
Word 2
past
noun, adjective, adverb, or preposition
A former time, previous, or at and beyond a point or position.
US pronunciation
/pæst/
UK IPA
/pɑːst/
Hear three samples
How to pronounce it
Use the same vowel and final ST as passed. American and British accents often differ in the vowel.
Listen in context
6 example sentences
Context makes meaning, grammar, and natural rhythm easier to understand. Every sentence has its own playback.
Examples with
passed
- The cyclist passed us near the bridge.
- Everyone passed the final examination.
- She passed the message to her colleague.
Examples with
past
- The deadline is already in the past.
- Walk past the bank and turn right.
- Past experience helped us avoid the problem.