English can be tricky sometimes. You’ve probably paused mid-sentence wondering, “Is it passerbyers or passersby or passerby?” You’re not alone. Many fluent English speakers get tangled up with this one.
Let’s clear up the confusion once and for all — and along the way, explore how this seemingly small word reveals fascinating insights into how English works.
Why “Passerby” Confuses So Many People
Ever written “passerbyers” and thought it looked odd? You’re not wrong. This mix-up happens because “passerby” doesn’t follow normal plural rules.
Most nouns simply add an s or es to become plural:
- Car → Cars
- Dog → Dogs
- Teacher → Teachers
But “passerby” doesn’t play by those rules. That’s because it’s not a single, simple noun. It’s a compound noun, meaning it’s formed by combining two words — pass and by.
Before we dive into which form is correct, let’s first understand what “passerby” actually means.
What Does “Passerby” Mean?
A passerby is a person who happens to be passing a particular place — usually by chance and without involvement.
In simple terms:
A passerby is someone walking past.
Here are a few examples:
- A passerby helped the injured cyclist.
- She waved at a passerby to ask for directions.
- The police questioned several passersby who saw the accident.
The key idea? A passerby is a random person passing by — not staying, not stopping, just going past.
The Structure of “Passerby”
The word “passerby” is made of:
- Passer – someone who passes.
- By – a preposition indicating proximity or movement past something.
So literally, a passerby is “one who passes by.”
The Origin and Etymology of “Passerby”
To understand why this word works the way it does, we need to peek into history.
From “To Pass By” → “Passer-by” → “Passerby”
- 16th Century: People used the phrase “to pass by” as a verb.
- 17th Century: English speakers began turning it into a noun — “a passer-by.”
- 19th–20th Century: The hyphen slowly disappeared, leaving us with “passerby.”
This kind of evolution is common in English. Other examples include:
- “Good-bye” → “Goodbye”
- “E-mail” → “Email”
- “To-day” → “Today”
English tends to simplify over time — and hyphens often vanish in the process.
According to Oxford English Dictionary, “passer-by” first appeared in written form in the 1700s. Over time, the hyphen was dropped as usage became standardized.
How to Pluralize “Passerby” Correctly
Here’s the golden rule for pluralizing compound nouns like “passerby”:
When a compound noun includes a main noun and a preposition, you pluralize the main noun, not the preposition.
So:
- Mother-in-law → Mothers-in-law
- Attorney general → Attorneys general
- Passerby → Passersby
You pluralize passer, because it’s the actual noun being described. “By” just modifies it.
✅ Correct: Several passersby stopped to look at the mural.
❌ Incorrect: Several passerbyers stopped to look at the mural.
Quick Reference Table
| Singular Form | Plural Form | Correct? | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passerby | Passersby | ✅ | A passerby called for help. |
| Passerbyers | — | ❌ | Several passerbyers stopped. (Incorrect) |
| Passers-by | (Old form) | ✅ (archaic) | Several passers-by waved. |
The rule is simple but powerful: focus on the main noun when pluralizing compounds.
Why “Passerbyers” Sounds Logical — But Isn’t
Let’s be honest — “passerbyers” feels natural. English speakers often add -ers or -s to make words plural or to describe people doing an action.
Think about it:
- Walk → Walkers
- Jog → Joggers
- Pass by → Passerbyers? (Seems like it fits!)
But English isn’t always logical. Because “passerby” is already a noun, adding another -er is redundant — and grammatically incorrect.
Linguists call this phenomenon hypercorrection — when someone over-applies a rule. It’s the same reason some people say:
- “I did good” instead of “I did well.”
- “Irregardless” instead of “Regardless.”
So while “passerbyers” might sound right in casual speech, it’s never correct in formal English.
The Role of Hyphenation: Passer-by vs. Passerby
In older writing (especially British English), you’ll often see the hyphenated form “passer-by.”
For example:
“A passer-by stopped to assist the elderly woman.”
Today, both “passer-by” and “passerby” are acceptable, but “passerby” is the more modern and common form — especially in American English.
British vs. American Usage
| Variant | Preferred In | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Passer-by | British English | A passer-by intervened. |
| Passerby | American English | A passerby intervened. |
Language evolves through simplification, and dropping hyphens is part of that natural process.
Correct Usage in Sentences
Let’s look at how each form appears in real-world examples.
| Form | Correct/Incorrect | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Passerby | ✅ Correct | A passerby noticed the fire and called 911. |
| Passersby | ✅ Correct | The passersby gathered to watch the parade. |
| Passerbyers | ❌ Incorrect | The passerbyers clapped and cheered. |
| Passers-by | ✅ (Older style) | The passers-by peered into the shop window. |
You’ll still find “passers-by” in British publications like The Guardian or BBC News, but American media and modern writing favor “passersby.”
Language Evolution: Why Irregular Plurals Exist
English is full of words that refuse to follow simple plural rules.
| Singular | Plural | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Man | Men | Irregular vowel change |
| Child | Children | Unique plural suffix |
| Tooth | Teeth | Irregular vowel change |
| Mouse | Mice | Old English plural |
| Passerby | Passersby | Compound noun plural |
Irregular plurals often survive from Old English or Middle English forms. The same process that gave us “feet” instead of “foots” also shaped words like “passersby.”
Fun Fact
According to linguistic research, irregular plural forms persist because they’re used frequently and get reinforced over generations.
So, even though “passersby” feels awkward, it’s deeply rooted in centuries of consistent usage.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are the most frequent errors people make with “passerby”:
1. Using “Passerbyers” as the Plural
❌ Several passerbyers watched the fireworks.
✅ Several passersby watched the fireworks.
2. Mixing Singular and Plural Forms
❌ Many passerby saw the show.
✅ Many passersby saw the show.
3. Subject-Verb Agreement Mistakes
❌ The passerby were curious.
✅ The passersby were curious.
4. Overusing Hyphens
Older: The passer-by was late.
Modern: The passerby was late.
Unless you’re following a British style guide, skip the hyphen.
Quick Grammar Recap Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Singular | Plural | Correct Form | Common Mistake |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passerby | Noun | Passerby | Passersby | ✅ | “Passerbyers” |
| Passer-by | Noun (archaic) | Passer-by | Passers-by | ✅ (older) | “Passerby’s” |
| Passerbyers | Noun | — | — | ❌ | Adding “-ers” |
| Pass | Verb/Noun | — | — | — | Confusing base form |
Mini Case Study: “Passersby” in Media and Literature
Writers have long used “passersby” to capture moments of fleeting human connection.
- Charles Dickens, in A Tale of Two Cities: “The passersby stopped to stare at the spectacle before them.”
- Modern Example (The New York Times): “Curious passersby took photos of the street artist as he worked.”
- Social Media Context: “Dozens of passersby gathered to record the flash mob.”
This diversity in use shows how “passersby” remains a living, breathing part of modern English.
Famous Quote on Language Evolution
“Language is the dress of thought.”
— Samuel Johnson
This quote reminds us that even small quirks like “passersby” reflect centuries of linguistic fashion changes — and learning them helps us write with precision and style.
FAQs About “Passerby,” “Passersby,” and “Passerbyers”
Is “Passerbyers” a Word?
No. “Passerbyers” is not a correct word in English. The plural of passerby is passersby.
Can I Use “Passer-by” Instead of “Passerby”?
Yes, but “passer-by” is considered old-fashioned and more common in British English.
Is “Passersby” Used in American English?
Absolutely. In American English, “passersby” is the only correct plural form of “passerby.”
What’s the Difference Between “Passerby” and “Bystander”?
A passerby is simply someone passing by.
A bystander is someone who’s nearby but observing an event — not necessarily moving.
Example:
- A passerby walked past the protest.
- A bystander stood and watched.
Why Does English Have Irregular Plurals Like “Passersby”?
Because English borrows from many older languages. Some forms stick due to tradition, even when they break the usual rules.
Final Takeaway
Here’s the simple truth:
| Singular | Plural | Incorrect |
|---|---|---|
| Passerby | Passersby | Passerbyers |
If you remember to pluralize the main noun (“passer”), you’ll never go wrong again.
“Passerby” is one of those fascinating English words that shows how flexible and deep the language really is. It teaches you that correctness isn’t just about rules — it’s about history, structure, and usage.
So the next time you see someone walking by, you’ll know exactly what to call them — a passerby, or if there are several, passersby.
I’m Sameer — a passionate English enthusiast who loves exploring words, grammar, and the art of effective communication. ✍️