the time was passing vs the time was passing by

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. 'The time was passing' is a simple statement indicating the passage of time, while 'The time was passing by' adds a bit more emphasis on the continuous nature of time passing. Both are commonly used and convey a similar meaning.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1068 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the time was passing"

This phrase is used to indicate the simple passage of time.

Examples:

As we sat there, the time was passing quickly.
I didn't notice how the time was passing during the meeting.

Show examples from the web [+]

I felt it's not right, not complete, I even struck the first print... without finding the answer, time was passing by... for the record, there is one complete print that was made in 1998
One person I knew was passing the time doing nothing.
I always forget the time passing when I'm developing photographs.
The time passing very quickly, just left our lonely.
And with the time passing, I finished to believe it too.
We played so that people wouldn't feel the time passing and would forget where and who they were.
We never have a hard time passing.
All I feel is time passing.
You can almost see time passing.
Let's toast to time passing slowly.
She wasn't bad for just passing the time.
Just passing the time, bunky.
Just passing the time till I die.
Just passing the time of day, ma'am.
Like the time we celebrated Marshall passing the bar exam.
I share your concerns about the time which is passing, particularly since Gabon is currently an extremely important country in this region of Africa.
But I knew I'd be mediocre and I'm terrified of time passing.
And apparently, the poor little guy's been having a hard time passing these objects or they wouldn't still be in his stomach.
So, here I am, passing the time, pretending to be a businessman.
I'm just passing the time before tech.

Alternatives:

the time passed
time was ticking away
time was slipping away
time was flying by
time was moving on

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"the time was passing by"

This phrase is used to emphasize the continuous nature of time passing.

Examples:

As we chatted, the time was passing by quickly.
The time was passing by, but I was lost in my thoughts.

Show examples from the web [+]

I felt it's not right, not complete, I even struck the first print... without finding the answer, time was passing by... for the record, there is one complete print that was made in 1998
One person I knew was passing the time doing nothing.
I always forget the time passing when I'm developing photographs.
The time passing very quickly, just left our lonely.
And with the time passing, I finished to believe it too.
But you can hear crowds from time to time passing by outside.
We played so that people wouldn't feel the time passing and would forget where and who they were.
Then you'll have a hard time passing by every day?
Time keeps passing by and I haven't yet told him the truth
We never have a hard time passing.
All I feel is time passing.
You can almost see time passing.
Let's toast to time passing slowly.
Now, however, it would seem that the rest, the remaining 20%, are so problematic, that time is passing by and the talks have already ended in deadlock on many occasions.
She wasn't bad for just passing the time.
Just passing the time, bunky.
Just passing the time till I die.
Just passing the time of day, ma'am.
Like the time we celebrated Marshall passing the bar exam.
I share your concerns about the time which is passing, particularly since Gabon is currently an extremely important country in this region of Africa.

Alternatives:

the time was passing
time was ticking away
time was slipping away
time was flying by
time was moving on

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the time was passing vs the time was passing by