ESL General English Grammar Questions

Re: walk past

Yoong Liat — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 00:32:38 GMT

If I say "I pass your house every day", you won't know in what way I do it.

If I use 'past', it is possible to indicate in what way I do it.

I jog past your house every day.

I stroll past your house every day.

I walk past your house every day.

I hope the above helps.

Re: walk past

Fandorin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:10:35 GMT

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

Re: walk past

Clive — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:56:25 GMT

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.

Best wishes, Clive

Re: walk past

Tanit — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:28:36 GMT

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.

Re: walk past

CalifJim — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:28:17 GMT

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.

Re: walk past

Fandorin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:20:45 GMT

Was I wrong with above?

Re: walk past

Tanit — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:07:44 GMT

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.

Re: walk past

Fandorin — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:50:16 GMT

Hi, Intrigue. Welcome to EF.

"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.

walk past

Intrigue — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:36:41 GMT

When to use it and what does it mean.For ex- when u walk past the bridge.