Passersby vs Passerby: Correct Plural Explained

A passerby is one person walking past a place. When more than one person passes by, the correct plural is passersby. People often make mistakes like saying “passerbys” or “passerbyers,” but these are not correct in formal writing or speech.

The word comes from a combination of passer, meaning someone who goes past, and by, which shows movement near something. Only the main noun changes when forming the plural. This rule is similar to other compound nouns like attorneys general and mothers-in-law.

Using the right form improves clarity and professionalism. Writers, reporters, and students benefit from understanding how compound nouns work. Correct usage of passersby shows attention to grammar and makes sentences easier for everyone to read.

What Does “Passerby” Mean?

A passerby is a person who walks past a place by chance. People often see them in streets, parks, or busy areas. They may notice events, help someone, or simply continue walking without stopping. The term describes someone moving casually near a location.

This word combines passer, meaning a person who moves past, and by, showing proximity. It is used in writing, news reports, and everyday speech. Using the term correctly helps describe people who witness or encounter events while moving from one place to another.

Definition (According to Merriam-Webster)

• A passerby is a person who happens to go past a place by chance.
• It often refers to someone who sees or notices an event while walking by.
• The term describes casual movement near a location without stopping or taking part.

See also All Time vs All-time: The Correct Hyphen Rule Explained

Etymology and Origin

• The word comes from passer, from Latin passare, meaning “to go past or travel through.”
• By shows movement near something or someone.
• Combining them forms the compound noun passerby, which explains its unusual plural rules.

Singular vs. Plural: Passerby or Passersby?

Correct Plural: Passersby

Yes, you read that right. You don’t say “passerbys” or “passerbyers.” The correct plural is:

Passersby

Why Is That?

Singular	Plural
Attorney general	Attorneys general
Mother-in-law	Mothers-in-law
Notary public	Notaries public
Passerby	Passersby

“Passerbyers”  –  Why It’s Incorrect (But Still Commonly Used)

Although “passerbyers” is grammatically wrong, it’s shockingly widespread in informal contexts.

Why Do People Say It?

• People add “-ers” or “-s” because most English plurals follow that pattern.
• “Passerbyers” sounds natural and familiar, like regular words such as bakers or joggers.
• Informal speech, social media, and headlines often use it for simplicity, ignoring grammar rules.

Examples from Real Life

• “A couple of passersby helped the injured man after the accident.” ✅
• “Some passersby reported smoke coming from the building.” ✅
• “I waved at the passersby walking past my street stall.” ✅

Hyphenation and Formatting Rules for “Passersby”

Now let’s talk about punctuation, capitalization, and formatting.

Should “Passerby” Be Hyphenated?

Variant	Correct Form
American English	Passerby (no hyphen)
British English	Passer-by (hyphenated)

When Should It Be Capitalized?

• Capitalize passerby when it starts a sentence.
• Use capitalization for titles, like The Passerby Who Helped.
• Do not capitalize it in the middle of regular sentences unless it is a proper noun.

Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Forms

Form	Correct?	Notes
Passerby	✅	Singular form
Passersby	✅	Plural form
Passerbyers	❌	Not grammatically valid
Passerbys	❌	Common mistake
Passer-by	✅ (UK)	Acceptable in British English
Passers-by	✅ (UK)	Plural in British English

Usage in Real Sentences: “Passersby” in Action

Let’s take a look at how this term appears in journalism, literature, and conversation.

Journalism

• “Several passersby stopped to help after the accident,” – The New York Times.
• “Passersby reported smoke coming from the third floor,” – BBC News.
• News articles often use passersby to describe witnesses or people nearby events.

Literature

• “The passersby ignored the protest and kept walking,” – George Orwell.
• Writers use passersby to show casual observers in scenes or stories.
• The term helps describe ordinary people noticing events without being directly involved.

Everyday Speech

• “I thanked the passersby who helped me pick up my dropped bag.”
• “A passerby handed me my wallet when it fell on the street.”
• People use passersby to describe anyone walking past a place casually.

The Evolution of Language: Could “Passerbyers” Ever Be Accepted?

English is fluid. Words evolve. What’s incorrect today could find a place in dictionaries tomorrow.

But “passerbyers” isn’t headed there yet.

Why?

The plural of passerby is unusual because it is a compound noun. Only the main noun, passer, changes when making it plural. This rule is similar to other compound words like mothers-in-law and attorneys general, which follow the same pattern.

Many people make mistakes by adding “s” to the end of the whole word. Using passersby correctly shows proper grammar and careful writing. Understanding this rule helps everyone speak and write more clearly, making sentences easier to read and more professional in appearance.

• The plural of passerby is unusual because it is a compound noun.
• Only the main noun passer changes when forming the plural, creating passersby.
• This rule is similar to other compound nouns like mothers-in-law and attorneys general.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Here are the top errors and how to steer clear of them:

Common Mistakes

• Using “passerbys” or “passerbyers” as the plural.
• Hyphenating passerby incorrectly in American English.
• Capitalizing or using the plural form in the wrong context.

Quick Fix Tips

• Use passerby for one person and passersby for more than one.
• Avoid the hyphen in American English; use it only in British English.
• Check grammar tools or style guides to ensure correct usage.

Similar Confusing Compound Nouns

Understanding “passersby” becomes easier when you compare it to other compound nouns.

Table: Other Irregular Compound Nouns

Singular	Plural
Attorney general	Attorneys general
Mother-in-law	Mothers-in-law
Editor-in-chief	Editors-in-chief
Notary public	Notaries public
Passerby	Passersby

Why This Matters

• Correct use of passersby improves writing clarity and avoids confusion.
• Proper grammar boosts credibility and makes sentences look professional.
• Understanding compound nouns helps prevent common mistakes in both speech and writing.

See also Unorganized vs Disorganized: Key Grammar Difference

Quick Reference Table for “Passerby” Grammar

Feature	Example	Rule Summary
Singular	A passerby smiled at me.	One person
Plural	Several passersby walked past.	More than one person
Hyphenation (US)	Passerby	No hyphen
Hyphenation (UK)	Passer-by	Hyphen used
Incorrect plural	Passerbys, Passerbyers	Never accepted in formal grammar
Formal usage	Used in reports and journalism	Suitable for both formal and casual use

FAQs

Is it passersby or passerbyers?

The correct plural is passersby. “Passerbyers” is incorrect and not accepted in formal or informal English.

What is a passerbyer?

A passerbyer is not a real word. People sometimes use it mistakenly, but the correct term is passersby for more than one person.

What is the correct way to hyphenate passerby?

In American English, write passerby without a hyphen. In British English, use passer-by. Plural forms follow the same pattern.

What is the plural word for passerby?

The plural of passerby is passersby. Only the main noun “passer” takes the plural form, not the entire word.

Final Thoughts:

Using the correct plural, passersby, shows good grammar and careful writing. Avoiding mistakes like “passerbyers” helps your sentences stay clear and professional. Understanding how compound nouns work improves both speaking and writing skills for everyone.

Paying attention to small grammar rules makes communication easier. Correct use of passersby demonstrates knowledge of language patterns and proper sentence structure. This helps readers understand your message quickly and keeps writing confident and precise in all contexts.