101+Get Past or Get Passed What’s the Correct Phrase? 2026

Many people get confused between “get past” and “get passed.” Although they sound similar, they have very different meanings and uses in English.

This phrase confuses thousands of English learners and even native speakers every day.

People search for this keyword to confirm which version is grammatically correct, when to use each one, and how they differ in meaning.

The confusion mainly comes from the words “past” (a preposition, adverb, or noun) and “passed” (the past tense of pass).

Both sound identical when spoken, but they serve different roles in writing.

In this guide, we’ll quickly clear up the difference, trace the origin of both words, compare British and American spellings, and show you real-life examples.

By the end, you’ll never mix up “get past” and “get passed” again.

Get Past or Get Passed – Quick Answer

✅ The correct phrase is “get past.”

“Get past” means to move beyond something — physically, emotionally, or metaphorically.
Example:

I can’t get past the traffic jam.
She finally got past her fear of failure.

“Get passed” is almost never correct unless “passed” is used as a past-tense verb with a direct object.
Example:

He got passed the ball during the game. (Here, passed = was given.)

Quick rule:

Use “get past” for movement or progress.
Use “get passed” only when someone receives something that was passed.

The Origin of “Get Past” or “Get Passed”

The word “past” comes from the Middle English paast, meaning “gone by” or “beyond.” It’s related to pass, which originated from the Old French passer, meaning “to go by.”

The difference between past and passed developed when English began distinguishing adjectives/prepositions (past) from verbs (passed).

So:

Past = position or time (something beyond).
Passed = action (something you did).

That’s why “get past” became the correct form when referring to moving beyond, while “get passed” stayed limited to the sense of receiving something.

British English vs American English Spelling

Interestingly, “get past” and “get passed” are spelled the same way in both British and American English. The difference lies not in spelling, but in usage context.

However, British English often uses “past” more flexibly, sometimes in idioms Americans might phrase differently.

Usage Type	American English	British English	Example
Movement beyond	get past	get past	She couldn’t get past the queue.
Receiving something	get passed	get passed	He got passed the note in class.
Emotional recovery	get past	get past	I can’t get past the breakup.
Sports/competition	get past	get past	They couldn’t get past the semi-finals.

Which Spelling Should You Use?

✅ If you’re writing for an international or general audience, use “get past.”
It’s universally recognized and grammatically correct.

US readers: “Get past” sounds natural and is used in both formal and casual writing.
UK/Commonwealth readers: “Get past” is equally standard and clear.

Only use “get passed” when describing something being handed or transferred.
Example: He got passed the microphone.

For all other cases—emotions, challenges, locations—stick with “get past.”

Common Mistakes with “Get Past” or “Get Passed”

Here are frequent mix-ups and how to fix them:

Incorrect	Correct	Explanation
I can’t get passed my fear.	I can’t get past my fear.	Fear isn’t being handed; it’s something to overcome.
We need to get passed this point.	We need to get past this point.	Movement beyond → use “past.”
She got past the exam easily.	✅ Correct	Means she succeeded or moved beyond.
He got passed the ball.	✅ Correct	Received the ball → verb “passed.”

Tip:
If the sentence works with move beyond, use past.
If it works with give/hand over, use passed.

“Get Past” or “Get Passed” in Everyday Examples

I can’t get past this login error.
Please get passed this report to the manager. (Meaning: hand it over.)
Voters struggle to get past corruption scandals.
The player got passed the defender with ease.
Can’t get past how good this show is!
Got passed a note in class today—throwback!

In formal writing:

The company needs to get past its internal conflicts to grow.

“Get Past or Get Passed” – Google Trends & Usage Data

Search data from Google Trends shows that “get past” is searched far more often than “get passed.”

In the United States, “get past” dominates by over 80%.
In the UK, “get past” is also the preferred phrase.
India, Canada, and Australia follow the same trend.

Table: Global Keyword Popularity

Country	“Get Past” (%)	“Get Passed” (%)
United States	82	18
United Kingdom	79	21
Canada	81	19
Australia	80	20
India	77	23

The data proves that “get past” is globally accepted as the correct form in most contexts.

Get Passed or Get Past: Which Is Correct?

The correct phrase is usually get past, not get passed. ✅

Get Past ✅

Means to move beyond something or overcome an obstacle.
Commonly used in both literal and figurative senses.

Examples:

I can’t get past the traffic jam.
She finally got past her fear of public speaking.

Get Passed ❌ (Usually Incorrect)

Passed is the past tense of the verb “pass.”
Get passed is sometimes used in sports or specific contexts (like “I got passed by the runner”), but in general expressions about overcoming or moving beyond, it is incorrect.

Example (less common/correct in context):

I got passed by three cars on the highway. ✅ (literally overtaken)
I can’t get passed my problems. ❌ (incorrect)

Quick Tip

Get passed → literally “was overtaken” (rarely used in general contexts)

Get past → overcome or move beyond something

The correct phrase is get past this, not get passed this. ✅

Get Past This ✅

Means to overcome a problem, obstacle, or situation.
Used in figurative or literal contexts.

Examples:

I need some time to get past this disappointment.
She is trying to get past this difficult stage in her career.

Get Passed This ❌

Incorrect in this context.
“Passed” is the past tense of pass and would only work literally, e.g., someone or something physically overtaking something else.

Example (literal use, correct):

I got passed by three runners during the race. ✅

Example (incorrect for figurative meaning):

I need to get passed this problem. ❌

Quick Tip

Get passed this → rarely correct; only literal overtaking

Get past this → overcome a challenge or obstacle

FAQs About “Get Past” or “Get Passed”

1. What is the difference between “get past” and “get passed”?

Get past means to overcome, move beyond, or deal with something.
- Example: I can’t get past this obstacle.
Get passed is usually incorrect unless referring to something being handed or completed.

2. Can I say “I got passed the exam”?

No. Correct: I passed the exam. “Got passed” is grammatically incorrect in this context.

3. Is “get passed” ever correct?

Yes, but only in literal cases where something is handed or sent.
- Example: The package got passed to the next department.

4. How do I know which one to use?

Ask yourself if you mean overcoming something → use get past.
If it’s about something being handed or transferred, then get passed may be correct.

5. Can I use “get past” in emotional situations?

Absolutely! It works for both physical and emotional challenges.
- Example: I can’t get past what happened last year.

6. Is “get past” informal or formal?

It’s neutral and can be used in everyday conversation, writing, or professional contexts.

7. Why do people confuse these two phrases?

They sound similar, but their meanings are different. Mishearing or casual writing often causes the mistake.

Conclusion

The phrase “get past” is the correct and most widely accepted form when expressing the idea of moving beyond a challenge, obstacle, or point in time.

By understanding the part of speech—past as a preposition, passed as a verb—you’ll avoid common mix-ups.

In both British and American English, “get past” remains the safe, clear, and professional choice for everyday communication. Whether you’re writing an email, essay, or tweet, choose “get past” to sound polished and correct.