0

sentences where 'by' is used as an adverb:

He just passed by.

He had already gone by.

I know the only one use of by as an Adverb, ie, the above. INTERNET didn't help me enough.

Please explain.

Thank you.

Improve this question
1
  • Trad grammar analyses "by" as an adverb, but it's best analysed as a preposition, more precisely a stranded preposition (the kind that is missing its complement).
    – BillJ
    Commented Mar 2, 2019 at 9:40

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
1

Adverbs describe the action (verbs). What is by describing here? passed? gone? I am not an expert in grammar but in these sentences, I see "by" as a preposition that is connecting the pronoun "he" and the verbs and is not describing the action "passed" or "gone".

Improve this answer
0

In the sentences you mentioned, “by” means “passing a point near something” or “past”. Besides this, “by” as an adverb has two other meanings.

Near

The house is close by.

Away or aside

He put some money by each week for savings.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .