What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
overtook
Example
The car overtook the truck on the highway. [overtook: past tense]
Example
She overtook her rival in the final lap of the race. [overtook: verb]
passed
Example
The cyclist passed the jogger on the trail. [passed: past tense]
Example
He passed his driving test on the first try. [passed: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Passed is more commonly used than overtook in everyday language, and is more versatile in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between overtook and passed?
Both overtook and passed are formal enough to be used in professional writing or speech, but passed is more commonly used in everyday conversation and is therefore more informal.
