Walk past

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Intrigue

#576723 Wed, 15 Oct 08 08:36 PM

When to use it and what does it mean.For ex- when u walk past the bridge. (:|) Indifferent

Intrigue

Joined on Wed, Jun 11 2008

New Member (06)

Fandorin

#576729 Wed, 15 Oct 08 08:50 PM

Hi, Intrigue. Welcome to EF. Smile

"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.

Fandorin

Joined on Thu, Dec 20 2007

Russia

Full Member (473)

Whatever happens, be yourself.

Tanit

#576731 Wed, 15 Oct 08 09:07 PM

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:

Merriam-Webster 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!

Cambridge Adv. L. Dictionary 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.

Tanit

Joined on Mon, Jul 31 2006

In the middle of the Mediterranean Sea

Senior Member (2,238)

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Prepositions

Fandorin

#576736 Wed, 15 Oct 08 09:20 PM

Was I wrong with above? Smile

Fandorin

CalifJim

#576737 Wed, 15 Oct 08 09:28 PM

to walk unhurriedly, without any purpose just for pleasure

Fandorin
Was 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. Smile

CalifJim

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

California

Veteran Member (17,720)

"There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche

Tanit

#576738 Wed, 15 Oct 08 09:28 PM

Hi,

Fandorin
Was I wrong with above?

Are you asking me? Smile

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. Smile

Tanit

Clive

#576743 Wed, 15 Oct 08 09:56 PM

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. (:)) Smile

Best wishes, Clive

Clive

Joined on Thu, Oct 28 2004

Canada

Veteran Member (22,495)

El tango argentino es un pensamiento triste que se puede bailar (The tango argentino is a sad thought which can be danced) Enrique Santos Discépolo

Verbs

Fandorin

#576750 Wed, 15 Oct 08 10:10 PM

Tanit
Hi,
Fandorin
Was 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. Smile

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