What is the past tense of "pass"?

The past simple of "pass" is "passed". I pass the supermarket on my way to work every morning.

What is the past participle of "pass"?

The past participle of "pass" is "passed". Use it after have/has/had: "I have passed".

What is a common mistake with "pass"?

Wrong: "She passed the store without see it.". Correct: "She passed the store without seeing it.". After 'without', use gerund form 'seeing', not base verb 'see'.

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Q: Is "pass" regular or irregular?

"Pass" is a regular English verb. Both past simple and past participle are formed by adding -ed.

Q: How do you pronounce "pass"?

/pæs/ — One syllable with short 'a' vowel /æ/ like in 'cat', followed by 'ss' sound.

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All 12 Tenses of "Pass"

Quick reference table — every tense form of "pass" with the first-person example and a link to the grammar guide for that tense.

Tense	Example (I)	Quick rule
Simple Present	`I pass`	Used for habits, facts, routines, and permanent situations. Full rule →
Simple Past	`I passed`	Used for completed actions at a specific time in the past. Full rule →
Simple Future	`I will pass`	Used for predictions, decisions made at the moment, and promises. Full rule →
Present Continuous	`I am passing`	Used for actions happening right now or temporary situations. Full rule →
Past Continuous	`I was passing`	Used for actions in progress at a specific moment in the past. Full rule →
Future Continuous	`I will be passing`	Used for actions that will be in progress at a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect	`I have passed`	Used for past actions with present relevance, life experiences, or unfinished situations. Full rule →
Past Perfect	`I had passed`	Used for an action that was completed before another past action. Full rule →
Future Perfect	`I will have passed`	Used for an action that will be completed before a specific future time. Full rule →
Present Perfect Continuous	`I have been passing`	Used for actions that started in the past and continue now, with focus on duration. Full rule →
Past Perfect Continuous	`I had been passing`	Used for ongoing actions in the past that continued up to another past moment. Full rule →
Future Perfect Continuous	`I will have been passing`	Used for actions that will have been ongoing up until a specific future time. Full rule →

Past Tense of "Pass" — Passed

The past simple of "pass" is "passed" — formed by adding "-ed". Use it for actions that were completed at a specific time in the past, such as "yesterday", "last week", or "in 2020". For the full grammar of this tense, see our simple past tense guide.

The runner passed the finish line with excellent speed. B1

Past Participle of "Pass" — Passed

The past participle of "pass" is "passed" — the same form as the past simple, since "pass" is a regular verb. Use it after "have/has/had" for perfect tenses ("I have passed") and after "be" for passive voice ("It was passed").

The runner passed the finish line with excellent speed. B1

Is "Pass" Regular or Irregular?

"Pass" is a regular English verb. Its past simple and past participle are both formed by adding "-ed" to give "passed". The 3rd-person singular present is "passes" and the gerund/present participle is "passing".

Conjugation pattern: Regular: pass-passed-passing

How to Pronounce "Pass" and Its Forms

Pass: /pæs/ — Stress pattern: O

One syllable with short 'a' vowel /æ/ like in 'cat', followed by 'ss' sound.

Common mispronunciation of "pass"

Sometimes pronounced with long 'a' /pɑːs/ instead of short /æ/.

How to Use "Pass" — Common Grammar Patterns

Use 'pass by' to indicate moving past something without stopping. Use 'pass through' for crossing an area.

S + V + object
S + V + by/through + location

Example Sentences with "Pass" in Different Tenses

Simple Present: I pass the supermarket on my way to work every morning. A2
Simple Past: The runner passed the finish line with excellent speed. B1

Common Collocations with "Pass"

pass by
pass through
pass the house
pass the test
pass the baton

When to Use "Pass" vs Similar Verbs

"pass" vs "past"

Pass is a verb (action); past is an adjective or preposition (time or direction).

Smart synonyms — when to use each one

overtake — when surpassing someone ahead of you in racing
bypass — when intentionally avoiding something on your path
proceed — when moving forward past an obstacle

Antonyms: stop, stay, remain

Common Mistakes with "Pass"

Wrong: She pass often.
Correct: She passs often.
Add "s" to the verb when the subject is third-person singular (he/she/it).

Origin and Etymology of "Pass"

From Old French 'passer', meaning to go through or step over.

Common in directions and travel: pass the red house, pass through the city, pass by a landmark. Used in traffic contexts.

Other Forms of "Pass"

Noun: passage

Conjugation Tables for "Pass"

Negative Forms

Simple present: I do not pass · He does not pass
Simple past: I did not pass · She did not pass
Present perfect: I have not passed · He has not passed

Question Forms

Simple present: Do you pass? · Does he pass?
Simple past: Did you pass?
Present perfect: Have you passed?

Passive Voice (where applicable)

Simple present passive: It is passed
Simple past passive: It was passed
Present perfect passive: It has been passed

Frequently Asked Questions About "Pass"

Is "pass" regular or irregular?: "pass" is a regular verb. Add -ed for past simple and past participle: "passed".
What is the past tense of "pass"?: The simple past of "pass" is "passed".
When do I use simple present vs present continuous with "pass"?: Use simple present for habits, facts, and routines: "I pass every day." Use present continuous for actions happening right now: "I am passing right now."

Conjugation of "Pass" — All Forms, Examples, and Usage