Phrasal verbs "pass by" vs "stop by"

Differences between pass by and stop by

Pass by means to go past a place or person without stopping, while stop by means to visit someone or somewhere briefly.

Meanings and Definitions: pass by vs stop by

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Pass by

• 1. Go past without stopping.

  I was just PASSING BY when I saw the accident.

• 2. Visit briefly.

  I was PASSING BY her house the other day when I heard about it.

• 3. Miss an opportunity.

  The chance for promotion PASSED me BY.

Stop by

• 1. Visit somewhere briefly or quickly.

  I must STOP BY the supermarket and pick up some things for dinner.

Usage Examples: pass by, stop by in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

pass by

Example

I always pass by the park on my way to work.

Example

She passes by the bakery every morning.

stop by

Example

I will stop by the store on my way home.

Example

She stops by her parents' house every weekend.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Pass by

go past

To move beyond a place or person without stopping.

Example

I usually go past the park on my way to work.

drive by

To pass a place or person while driving a vehicle.

Example

We drove by the beach on our way to the hotel.

walk past

To move beyond a place or person while walking.

Example

She walked past the store without noticing it was closed.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Stop by

drop in

To visit someone or somewhere briefly and informally.

Example

I'm going to drop in on my friend after work to say hello.

pop in

To visit someone or somewhere briefly and unexpectedly.

Example

She decided to pop in on her sister to surprise her with a gift.

swing by

To visit someone or somewhere briefly and casually while on the way to another destination.

Example

I'll swing by the grocery store on my way home from work.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “pass”

• pass through
• pass up
• pass over
• pass back
• pass on

Phrasal Verbs with “stop”

• stop behind
• stop in
• stop off
• stop up
• stop over

Phrasal Verbs with “by”

• tick by
• drop by
• sit by
• drive by
• scrape by

Differences in pass by vs stop by: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: pass by or stop by?

In daily conversation, people use stop by more often than pass by. This is because stop by is used when we want to visit someone or somewhere briefly. On the other hand, pass by is not used as much in everyday conversation. It's mainly used when we're talking about going past something or someone without stopping. So, while both phrases are used, stop by is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of pass by and stop by

Pass by and stop by are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of pass by and stop by

The tone of pass by and stop by can differ based on context. Pass by often carries a neutral or indifferent tone when referring to going past something or someone without stopping, while stop by typically has a friendly and informal tone, especially when referring to visiting someone or somewhere briefly.

pass by & stop by: Synonyms and Antonyms

Pass by

Synonyms

• go past
• move past
• walk past
• drive past
• proceed past
• travel past

Antonyms

• stop
• stay
• pause
• halt
• wait
• linger

Stop by

Synonyms

• visit
• drop in
• drop by
• call in
• swing by
• pop in
• come by

Antonyms

• avoid
• ignore
• bypass
• skip
• miss
• stay away