Get Past or Get Passed?Learn the Correct Usage Easily
Many English learners and even native speakers pause when writing or speaking and ask: “Is it get past or get passed?” This confusion is very common. Although both phrases sound similar, they have very different meanings and grammar rules. As a result, people often use the wrong one in emails, exams, blogs, or daily conversations.
Therefore, users search for “get past or get passed” to find a quick and clear answer. They want to know which phrase is correct, when to use it, and how to avoid mistakes. Moreover, this confusion usually comes from misunderstanding the difference between past (a noun, adjective, or preposition) and passed (a verb form of pass).
In this guide, you will get a simple explanation, clear examples, comparison tables, and practical advice. By the end, you will confidently know when to use get past and when get passed is correct—or incorrect. Most importantly, this article will help you write and speak English more accurately.
Get Past or Get Passed – Quick Answer
- Get past ✅ → Correct and commonly used. It means to move beyond something physically or emotionally.
- Get passed ⚠️ → Rare and usually incorrect in daily English.
Examples
- She tried hard to get past her fear.
- We must get past this problem.
However:
- ❌ She wants to get passed her fear. (Wrong)
👉 Simple rule:
If you mean move beyond something, always use get past.
The Origin of “Get Past” and “Get Passed”
The word past comes from Old English pæst, meaning “gone by.” Over time, it became a noun, adjective, and preposition. Therefore, get past naturally means move beyond something.
On the other hand, passed is the past tense of the verb pass. While pass means to move or succeed, get passed is grammatically awkward and rarely used. As a result, English evolved to prefer get past for clarity.
British English vs American English Usage
Both British and American English follow the same rule here. However, learners still get confused.
| Phrase | British English | American English | Correct? |
|---|---|---|---|
| get past | Common | Common | ✅ Yes |
| get passed | Very rare | Very rare | ❌ Mostly No |
So, there is no spelling difference between regions in this case.
Which Form Should You Use?
- US audience: Use get past
- UK/Commonwealth audience: Use get past
- Global writing: Always use get past
Therefore, you can safely use get past everywhere without worry.
Common Mistakes with “Get Past or Get Passed”
Here are frequent errors and corrections:
- ❌ I can’t get passed this exam.
✅ I can’t get past this exam. - ❌ Let’s get passed our problems.
✅ Let’s get past our problems. - ❌ She never got passed her anger.
✅ She never got past her anger.
In short, get passed is usually wrong.
Get Past or Get Passed in Everyday Examples
- Emails:
Let’s get past this issue and move forward. - News:
The country must get past its economic crisis. - Social Media:
Trying to get past a bad day 💪 - Formal Writing:
Students must get past initial challenges to succeed.
Get Past or Get Passed – Google Trends & Usage Data
According to search trends:
- “Get past” is widely searched in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
- “Get passed” appears mostly in grammar questions, not real usage.
| Country | Popular Term | Context |
|---|---|---|
| USA | get past | Education, self-help |
| UK | get past | News, writing |
| India | get past | Exams, learning |
| Global | get past | Formal & informal |
Comparison Table: Get Past vs Get Passed
| Feature | Get Past | Get Passed |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Preposition phrase | Verb phrase |
| Common use | Very common | Very rare |
| Correct in meaning | Yes | Usually no |
| Recommended | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
FAQs
1. Is “get passed” ever correct?
Rarely. It is not standard for most meanings.
2. Why do people confuse get past and get passed?
Because past and passed sound the same.
3. Can I say “get past an exam”?
Yes, because it means to overcome or move beyond the exam, so the meaning stays correct.
4. Which is correct in exams?
In most cases, you should always use get past, because it clearly shows success and progress.
5. Is “get past” formal or informal?
In fact, it works in both formal and informal situations, so it is very flexible.
6. Can “passed” ever be correct?
Yes, however, “passed” can be correct when you are talking about results, but not when focusing on difficulty or struggle.
Yes, but only as a verb: He passed the exam.
7. Is this rule the same in British English?
Yes, exactly the same.
Conclusion
The confusion between get past or get passed is understandable, but the rule is actually very simple. Get past is the correct and natural phrase when you mean to move beyond a problem, obstacle, or situation. Meanwhile, get passed is almost always incorrect in this context.
Therefore, whether you are writing an email, preparing for an exam, posting on social media, or creating professional content, you should confidently use get past. Moreover, this rule is the same in American English, British English, and global English.
If you remember one thing, remember this: Past is about beyond; passed is a verb form. Once you understand that difference, you will easily get past this common grammar mistake.
