1 A2 neutral
To travel across or through a place, usually without stopping for long.
"We didn't visit Munich — we just passed through on our way to Vienna."
inseparable
pass through
A2 neutral inseparable transitive/intransitive
To move across or travel through a place without stopping or staying, or for something to move from one side of a barrier to the other.
In plain English
To go through a place on your way to somewhere else, without really staying.
What does "pass through" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To move through a barrier, filter, or point of entry.
"Only employees with a security pass can pass through the checkpoint."
inseparable
3 B2 neutral
(figurative) To experience a period of difficulty, change, or transition.
"Every teenager passes through a phase of questioning their identity."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To move from one side of something to the other, going through its interior.
Actually means
To go through a place on your way to somewhere else, without really staying.
Usage tip
Used both literally (travelling through a country or city) and figuratively (passing through a difficult phase of life). When used transitively, the object is typically a place or barrier.
Words that pair with "pass through"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
town country border checkpoint phase stage
How to conjugate "pass through"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
pass through
I/you/we/they
3rd person
passes through
he/she/it
Past simple
passed through
yesterday
Past participle
passed through
have + pp
-ing form
passing through
continuous
Hear "pass through" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "pass through" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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