Passersby or Passerbys: Which Is Correct?
Updated · Which One Is Correct editorial team
Quick answer: The correct spelling is passersby. This is the standard form used in all major dictionaries and style guides. The variant passerbys is incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing and everyday conversation alike.
The Short Answer
Passersby is the only correct spelling for people walking past a location. You should always use this form to describe pedestrians in any context.
People often write passerbys because they assume the plural ending follows the standard rule of adding s to the end. This logic fails here because by is a directional particle, not a noun.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Form | Status | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| passersby | Correct | Referring to multiple pedestrians |
| passerbys | Incorrect | Never; avoid this spelling |
| passerby | Correct (Singular) | Referring to one pedestrian |
| passer-bys | Incorrect | Never; avoid hyphenation here |
Correct Example Sentences
- The police asked the passersby if they saw the incident.
- Several passersby stopped to help the stranded motorist.
- A crowd of passersby gathered around the street performer.
- The passersby did not notice the small sign on the pole.
- We waved at the friendly passersby walking their dogs.
- The passersby were confused by the sudden road closure.
- Passersby often leave coins in the hat of the musician.
- The passersby whispered about the strange noise coming from the alley.
- Only a few passersby remained after the rain started.
- The passersby ignored the beggar and continued walking quickly.
Common Mistakes and Fixes
- The passerbys looked at the accident.
- The passersby looked at the accident.
- Many passerbys were waiting at the bus stop.
- Many passersby were waiting at the bus stop.
- The passerbys cheered for the runner.
- The passersby cheered for the runner.
- We thanked the passerbys for their help.
- We thanked the passersby for their help.
- The passerbys were shocked by the news.
- The passersby were shocked by the news.
- The passerbys walked quickly through the park.
- The passersby walked quickly through the park.
A Quick Test You Can Use
Think of the word as a compound where by indicates direction. The plural applies to the actor passing, not the direction. If you can replace the phrase with pedestrians or people, use the standard spelling passersby.
Related Word Pairs
- Lookers-on vs Lookersons
- Use lookers-on; the preposition stays at the end.
- Bystanders vs Bystanderes
- Use bystanders; it is a regular noun plural.
- Givers-in vs Giversins
- Use givers-in; the directional word remains separate.
- Runners-by vs Runnerbys
- Use runners-by; follow the same rule as passersby.
- Watchers-on vs Watcherson
- Use watchers-on; keep the preposition distinct.
More Example Sentences
- The passersby paused to admire the vibrant street art.
- Police interviewed the passersby regarding the missing bicycle.
- Kind passersby offered directions to the lost tourist.
- The passersby scattered when the dog chased its ball.
- We noticed the passersby checking their phones while walking.
- Local passersby often buy snacks from the corner vendor.
- The passersby applauded the dancer performing in the square.
- Several passersby stopped to take photos of the sunset.
- The passersby murmured comments about the loud construction.
- Every day, hundreds of passersby cross this busy intersection.
Quick Practice
The watched the parade with excitement.
passersby
Kind helped push the stalled car.
passersby
The did not hear the alarm.
passersby
All the moved to the side of the road.
passersby
The artist thanked the for their tips.
passersby
Few remained on the sidewalk after dark.
passersby
Frequently Asked Questions
Is passerbys ever acceptable in informal writing?
No, passerbys is considered incorrect even in casual contexts. Stick to passersby to maintain clarity and adhere to standard English conventions for this specific compound noun.
Why is the plural passersby and not passersbys?
The word by functions as an adverb indicating direction. The plural marker attaches to the noun passer, not the directional particle by, which remains unchanged in the plural form.
Can I use passerby as a plural?
No, passerby is singular. If you are talking about more than one person walking past, you must use the plural form passersby to be grammatically correct.
Does passersby need a hyphen?
No, standard dictionaries list passersby as a closed compound word without a hyphen. Writing it as passers-by or passer-by is less common and often considered outdated.
