When you’re walking down the street, it’s easy to see a passerby—a person who walks past without engaging. But what happens when you need to talk about multiple people walking by? You might have heard both “passerbyers” and “passersby,” and wondered which is correct.
If you’re unsure whether it’s “passersby” or the more awkward-sounding “passerbyers,” don’t worry. This article will clear up the confusion once and for all, and help you use these terms correctly in your writing and speech.
The English language can be tricky, especially when it comes to pluralizing compound nouns like “passerby.” Many native English speakers unknowingly use the wrong form, creating a language blunder that can confuse readers and listeners. So, let’s dive into why “passersby” is the correct plural, why “passerbyers” isn’t, and how understanding this can improve your communication.
What Do These Terms Mean?
Before we get into the rules, let’s first define the terms to ensure we’re on the same page.
1.1. “Passerby” – The Singular Form
At its core, a “passerby” is a person who passes by or moves past a particular point. It’s a compound noun made up of two words: “passer,” referring to someone who passes, and “by,” indicating that they’re moving past something.
Here’s an example:
- “A passerby stopped to ask for directions.”
This sentence indicates that one person was walking by and took the time to interact. “Passerby” is the singular form, and its usage is straightforward: it’s about a single individual moving past you or an area.
1.2. “Passersby” – The Correct Plural Form
So, if a passerby is one person, what do you call a group of them? The plural form of “passerby” is “passersby.” This form follows the rules for pluralizing compound nouns in English, and it’s essential to remember that when referring to more than one person, you must use “passersby.”
Example:
- “As I walked through the park, I noticed many passersby enjoying the sunny weather.”
In this case, we’re talking about multiple people—the individuals who walked past during the stroll.
1.3. Why “Passerbyers” is Incorrect
Many people mistakenly use the term “passerbyers” when referring to a group of people. However, this is not grammatically correct. Unlike other regular plural forms like “players” or “teachers,” the compound “passerby” doesn’t follow that same pattern. Adding “ers” creates an awkward and incorrect form that doesn’t belong in the English language.
Example of incorrect usage:
- “A few passerbyers walked by while I was waiting at the bus stop.”
This usage sounds odd and is grammatically wrong. Stick with “passersby” when referring to a group.
Grammatical Rules Behind Compound Noun Pluralization
Understanding why “passersby” is the correct plural form requires a deeper look into compound nouns and how they are pluralized. Let’s break this down.
2.1. How Compound Nouns Work
A compound noun is formed by combining two or more words into a single unit. In the case of “passerby,” the word “passer” refers to someone who is moving past, and “by” indicates the motion of passing by something. When pluralizing compound nouns, you generally follow one of two rules:
- If the compound noun is written as a single word, the plural form often changes the first part of the compound.
- If the compound noun is hyphenated or written as two separate words, the plural form is typically applied to the second part.
However, “passerby” is an open compound noun (separated by a space), so we pluralize the first part—”passer”—resulting in “passersby.” The word “by” remains unchanged.
2.2. Rules for Pluralizing Compound Nouns
Here’s the general rule for pluralizing compound nouns:
- For open compound nouns like “passerby,” pluralize the first element. This means we pluralize “passer” to “passers,” keeping “by” unchanged.
Another example would be “mother-in-law”, which becomes “mothers-in-law.” In this case, the first word, “mother,” is pluralized, while “in-law” remains intact.
2.3. Similar Examples of Compound Nouns
The rules for pluralizing compound nouns apply to many other phrases in English. Here are a few more examples to consider:
- Attorney general becomes attorneys general
- Passerby becomes passersby
- Editor-in-chief becomes editors-in-chief
As you can see, compound nouns with more than one part often follow the pattern of pluralizing only the first word and leaving the second word (often a preposition or modifier) unchanged.
Common Mistakes and Misconceptions
Even native English speakers make the mistake of using “passerbyers” instead of “passersby.” This error can happen due to a misunderstanding of how compound nouns work, especially when the first part of the noun ends in a consonant, and the second part is a preposition. Let’s explore some reasons why this confusion happens.
3.1. Why People Say “Passerbyers”
The temptation to use “passerbyers” may stem from regular pluralization patterns you’re familiar with. Many English words are pluralized by simply adding “ers” or “s” to the end, so it’s easy to assume the same for compound nouns. But compound nouns like “passerby” don’t follow the same pattern, and “passerbyers” is simply not correct.
3.2. When “Passerby” and “Passersby” are Misused
In both spoken and written English, people occasionally make this error. You might see “passerbyers” in social media posts, casual emails, or even in news articles. Even though it’s a common mistake, it doesn’t make it right. Using “passersby” in all cases is the best way to sound clear, concise, and grammatically accurate.
Usage Examples in Different Contexts
Let’s now dive into how “passerby” and “passersby” are used in various settings.
4.1. Conversational Examples
In everyday conversation, it’s easy to use the term passerby when you’re referring to a single person who is walking by.
- “As I waited for the bus, a passerby smiled at me.”
- “Two passersby asked if I needed directions.”
In the first sentence, you’re referring to just one person, while in the second, you’re talking about a group.
4.2. Professional and Academic Writing
In formal or academic writing, proper use of terms like “passersby” ensures clarity and professionalism.
- “The passersby in the study showed no significant response to the stimuli.”
- “According to reports, several passersby witnessed the accident.”
Using “passersby” correctly in these sentences adds precision and credibility to your writing.
4.3. Literary and Historical Examples
In literature and speeches, you’ll often find “passersby” used to create vivid imagery or highlight the fleeting nature of human presence. For example:
- “The passersby on the crowded street never noticed the quiet artist sketching at the corner.”
- “The passersby in the war-torn city barely spared a glance at the destruction around them.”
By using “passersby” in these examples, authors and speakers convey the sense of a crowd or a movement of people, emphasizing the transitory nature of their actions.
The Impact of Proper Language Usage
Using correct grammar—including the proper pluralization of compound nouns—can significantly affect how you’re perceived, both professionally and personally.
5.1. In Professional Settings
In professional settings like reports, proposals, or presentations, using the wrong term can lead to confusion and even make you appear less credible.
- “Numerous passersby witnessed the scene” sounds professional and precise.
- “Many passerbyers were present” sounds awkward and unrefined.
5.2. In Academic Environments
For students and academics, using the correct form is essential. Submitting a paper with grammatical errors, like using “passerbyers,” could hurt your grades.
5.3. In Everyday Communication
In daily conversations, while the stakes may not be as high, speaking clearly and using proper grammar ensures that you’re understood. Imagine explaining something important to a group and accidentally using a term like “passerbyers.” It could distract your listeners and make them wonder if you know the language well.
How to Avoid Making This Mistake
If you’ve been using “passerbyers” in your writing or speech, don’t worry! You can easily correct it by practicing the correct usage of “passersby.”
6.1. Tips for Remembering the Correct Plural
- Mnemonic: “More than one passerby? Just add ‘ers’ to ‘passer.’”
- Quick Check: If you’re talking about more than one, remember to pluralize only “passer”—it’s passersby every time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the correct term when referring to more than one person who walks by is “passersby.” It follows standard rules for pluralizing compound nouns, and it’s crucial to avoid the incorrect form “passerbyers.” Remembering this simple rule will help you communicate more clearly, whether you’re speaking, writing, or reading. Be mindful of the difference, and your language will sound polished and professional.
FAQs on “Passerbyers vs. Passersby vs. Passerby”
1. What is the correct plural of “passerby”?
The correct plural of “passerby” is “passersby.” This follows the grammatical rules for pluralizing compound nouns, where the first part (“passer”) is pluralized, while the second part (“by”) remains unchanged.
2. Is “passerbyers” a grammatically correct word?
No, “passerbyers” is incorrect. This form does not follow standard rules for pluralizing compound nouns in English. The proper plural form is “passersby”.
3. Why do people sometimes say “passerbyers”?
People may mistakenly use “passerbyers” because they’re following the regular pattern of pluralizing words by adding “ers” or “s” to the end. However, “passerby” is a compound noun, and the plural is formed by changing the first part of the compound to “passers,” resulting in “passersby.”
4. Can I use “passerby” to refer to multiple people?
No, “passerby” refers to one person who is passing by. If you’re referring to a group of people, you must use “passersby.”
5. Why is “passersby” correct and “passerbyers” is not?
“Passersby” is correct because it’s consistent with the pluralization rule for compound nouns: we pluralize the first part of the compound noun (passer) and leave the second part (by) unchanged. Adding “ers” to the end, as in “passerbyers,” does not follow this rule and is considered grammatically incorrect.
