Passerbyers or passersby or passerby raise clear questions about pluralization, possessives, and correct usage. Passerby (noun) names a person who walks past a place, and the article a (indefinite article) often precedes it: “A passerby waved.” In that sentence, a is an article, passerby is a noun, and waved is a verb in the past tense; subject–verb agreement is correct because waved matches the singular subject.
For plural reference, the standard form is passersby (noun, plural): “Many passersby stopped.” Here many is a determiner, passersby is plural, and stopped is past tense; verb tense is consistent and appropriate. The nonstandard passerbyers (noun) sometimes appears when writers apply regular plural rules to the whole compound; avoid it in formal writing.
Below are contextual examples, careful parts-of-speech analyses, common mistakes, American versus British usage notes, idiomatic uses, practical tips, and a conclusion with FAQs to help you use passerby, passersby, and related forms with confidence.
Contextual Examples
Basic Singular and Plural Uses
Sentence: “A passerby called for help.”
- Parts of speech: A (article), passerby (noun, singular), called (verb, past tense), for (preposition), help (noun).
- Verb check: called is past tense and correctly matches the singular subject in narrative past. The sentence is complete and avoids fragments.
Sentence: “Passersby gathered around the fountain.”
- Parts of speech: Passersby (noun, plural), gathered (verb, past tense), around (preposition), the (definite article), fountain (noun).
- Verb check: gathered is past tense; past tense verbs do not vary with number, so the form is appropriate. If we use present tense, ensure agreement: “Passersby gather” (verb base form with plural subject) is correct.
Possessive Forms
Singular possessive: “A passerby’s umbrella blew away.”
- Analysis: A (article), passerby’s (possessive noun formed by adding ‘s to singular passerby), umbrella (noun), blew (verb, past).
- Verb check: blew is past tense and correctly completes the clause.
Plural possessive (standard and clear): “The reactions of the passersby varied.”
- Analysis: This phrasing avoids awkward apostrophes. The (article), reactions (noun, plural), of (preposition), the (article), passersby (noun, plural), varied (verb, past).
- Verb check: varied is past tense and fits the plural subject reactions.
Alternate plural possessive: “The passersby’s reactions varied.”
- Analysis: passersby’s applies ‘s to the plural form passersby. Some editors prefer rephrasing to avoid awkward punctuation, but this form is readable.
Compound Modifiers and Prepositional Phrases
“Several curious passersby watched the street performer.”
- Parts of speech: Several (determiner), curious (adjective), passersby (noun, plural), watched (verb, past), the (article), street performer (noun phrase).
- Verb check: watched is past tense; tense consistency is maintained.
“A passerby near the corner gave a statement.”
- Parts of speech: A (article), passerby (noun, singular), near (preposition), the (article), corner (noun), gave (verb, past), a statement (noun phrase).
- Verb check: gave is past tense appropriate for a single subject.
Common Mistakes
Incorrect Pluralization
Error: “passerbyers” or “passerbys”.
- Why it happens: Writers often apply a regular plural rule (add -s) to a compound noun. English often pluralizes the head word, not the whole compound. Compare: mother-in-law → mothers-in-law, attorney general → attorneys general.
- Correction: passerby → passersby. Pluralize passer (the head) to form passersby.
Incorrect Verb After Auxiliary
Error: “The passerby didn’t went to help.”
- Analysis: didn’t is the auxiliary past negative; the main verb should be in base form.
- Correction: “The passerby didn’t go to help.”
- Parts-of-speech check: didn’t (auxiliary verb negative), go (main verb base form), to help (infinitive phrase).
Possessive Confusion
Error: Misplacing apostrophes or avoiding them inconsistently, e.g., “the passersby reactions” (missing apostrophe) or awkwardly writing “passersby’ reactions”.
- Guidance: Rephrase to “the reactions of the passersby” if apostrophe placement looks odd. For formal writing, consult your house style: some guides prefer passersby’s, others accept passersby’. Consistency matters.
Agreement With Collective Nouns
Error: “A group of passersby were waiting.”
- Analysis: The head of the noun phrase is group (singular), so a singular verb is grammatically correct in formal contexts.
- Correction: “A group of passersby was waiting.” If you intend to stress individual actions, rephrase: “The passersby were waiting.”
Redundant Phrasing
Error: “Many passersby people stopped.”
- Correction: “Many passersby stopped.” Remove unnecessary nouns that repeat meaning.
American vs British English Differences
Standard Agreement
Both American and British English list passerby (singular) and passersby (plural) as standard. Major dictionaries on both sides of the Atlantic support these forms.
Hyphenation and Spelling
Older texts or some house styles may list passer-by (hyphenated). Modern usage favors the single-word passerby. If your publication uses older forms, be consistent.
Possessive Treatment
Style guides differ on plural possessive formatting for irregular plurals. American guides (Chicago Manual of Style, Merriam-Webster) and British guides (Oxford English Dictionary) present options; when in doubt, rephrase: “the shoes of the passersby.”
Register and Dialect
In casual speech, forms like passerbyers may appear among speakers unfamiliar with historical plural patterns. Both British and American editors typically correct such forms in formal contexts. Creative writing may retain nonstandard forms to convey voice or dialect.
Idiomatic Expressions
Common Collocations
- “Passersby stopped to look.” (verb stop collocates with passersby)
- “Passersby gathered around.” (preposition around indicates proximity)
- “Curious passersby watched.” (adjective curious modifies passersby)
Parts-of-speech note: Collocations often pair nouns with verbs and adverbial or adjectival modifiers; check placement so modifiers clearly attach to intended words.
Figurative Use
Writers sometimes use passersby metaphorically to indicate casual or temporary attention: “The idea drew only casual passersby.” Here passersby functions figuratively to mean people who take a brief interest.
Creative Voice
In dialogue, nonstandard forms may portray character voice. If an author writes “passerbyers” intentionally, the editor should weigh authenticity against readability. When preserving dialect, ensure consistency so readers understand the choice.
Practical Tips
Tip 1: Default to Passersby
When pluralizing, use passersby. This form is standard and avoids editorial queries.
Tip 2: Rephrase to Avoid Awkward Possessives
Use “the reactions of the passersby” instead of awkward apostrophes when writing for wide audiences.
Tip 3: Check Verb Agreement and Tense
- For singular subject: “A passerby was surprised.” Use singular verbs (was, is, sees).
- For plural subject: “Passersby were surprised.” Use plural verbs (were, are, see).
- After auxiliary did/didn’t, use base form: “did go,” “didn’t go.”
Tip 4: Avoid Invented Plurals in Formal Writing
Do not use passerbyers or passerbys in essays, reports, or published work.
Tip 5: Teach the Head-Word Rule
Explain that many English compounds pluralize the head word: mothers-in-law, attorneys general, passersby. Practicing parallel examples helps learners internalize the pattern.
Tip 6: Use Read-Aloud Tests
Reading sentences aloud reveals clumsiness. If a phrase trips the tongue, rephrase.
Tip 7: Consult Reliable Dictionaries
When uncertain, check Merriam-Webster, Oxford, or your house style guide for plural and possessive advice.
Tip 8: Keep Modifiers Close to Their Target
Place adjectives and adverbs near the words they modify to avoid ambiguity: “Several passersby quickly gathered” (adverb modifies gathered); avoid “Several passersby gathered quickly on the bench” if the placement might imply something else.
Tip 9: Use Parallel Examples When Teaching
Show learners side-by-side examples:
- Singular: “A passerby looked.”
- Plural: “Passersby looked.”
- Possessive rephrase: “The opinion of a passerby” → “The opinions of the passersby.”
Tip 10: Be Consistent With Style Choices
If your publication hyphenates older compounds or has a house rule for possessives, apply that rule consistently to avoid confusion.
Conclusion
Use passerby for the singular and passersby for the plural in Standard English. Avoid inventing passerbyers or passerbys in formal writing. Check verbs for correct tense and subject–verb agreement—use singular verbs with singular subjects and plural verbs with plural subjects; after did or didn’t, use the base verb. Rephrase possessives when apostrophe placement looks awkward, and keep modifiers near the words they modify to prevent ambiguity. These practical steps—defaulting to passersby, rephrasing possessives, checking verb tense and agreement, and consulting reliable dictionaries—will keep your writing clear, accurate, and reader friendly.
FAQs
- What is the correct plural of “passerby”?
The standard plural is passersby; this form pluralizes the head noun (passer) in the compound. - Is “passerbyers” ever correct?
Passerbyers is nonstandard and generally incorrect in formal writing; it sometimes appears in speech as an error or dialectal usage. - How do I form the possessive of “passersby”?
Rephrase to “the reactions of the passersby” to avoid awkward punctuation, or use passersby’s if your style guide accepts adding ‘s to the plural form. - Can I hyphenate “passer-by”?
Modern usage favors passerby without a hyphen; hyphenation appears in older texts or specific house styles—be consistent. - Why not “passerbys” or “passerbyers”?
English pluralizes the head noun in many compounds (compare mothers-in-law); thus passersby is correct rather than adding -s to the whole compound. - What verb should I use with “passersby”?
Match the verb to the subject: “Passersby were watching” (plural verb). If the subject is a collective noun like group, match the verb to that head: “A group of passersby was watching.” - Is “passersby'” acceptable for plural possessive?
Some guides accept it, but many prefer passersby’s or a rephrase; choose a style and apply it consistently.
