Passerbyers or Passersby or Passerby?

When it comes to Passerbyers or Passersby or Passerby?, many English speakers stumble over which plural form is actually correct. You may have heard someone say passerbyers, or seen a sign that reads “passerbys.” These quirks of the English language can leave even the most fluent speakers wondering about the correct way to use them. The confusion stems from how we typically form plurals in English, and passerby doesn’t follow the usual rules.

What Does “Passerby” Mean?

At its core, “passerby” refers to a person who passes by a place – typically someone walking past casually or coincidentally. It’s used in various contexts, especially in descriptions of public events, accidents, or spontaneous observations.

Definition (According to Merriam-Webster)

Passerby (noun): a person who is going past a place by chance, especially when something happens.

For example:

• A passerby called the police after witnessing the theft.
• She was helped by a kind passerby when her car broke down.

Etymology and Origin

The word “passerby” comes from the combination of:

• Passer (from Latin passare), meaning “to go past or travel through”
• By, indicating motion in proximity

This compound noun structure (verb + preposition) is key to understanding why its plural form is so unusual.

Singular vs. Plural: Passerby or Passersby?

This is where many people stumble. You might assume that adding an “s” at the end is enough, as in:

• Dog → Dogs
• Car → Cars

But “passerby” is a compound noun, and its pluralization behaves differently.

Correct Plural: Passersby

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

Passersby

Why Is That?

In compound nouns where the main noun comes first, the plural attaches to that noun.

Examples:

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

Here, “passer” is the noun and “by” is a preposition. So we pluralize the noun: passers + by = 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?

• Mimicking regular plural forms: People instinctively add “-s” or “-ers” to make something plural.
• Sound pattern comfort: “Passerbyers” feels like a natural English word because it follows the more common patterns (like “bakers” or “joggers”).
• Informal speech and online writing: Social platforms, memes, and even headlines often sacrifice grammar for punch.

But make no mistake – “passerbyers” is never accepted in formal writing or speech.

Examples from Real Life

You might see or hear:

• “A couple of passerbyers helped out.” ❌
• “Some passerbyers witnessed the incident.” ❌

Correct it to:

• “A couple of passersby helped out.” ✅
• “Some passersby witnessed the incident.” ✅

Hyphenation and Formatting Rules for “Passersby”

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

Should “Passerby” Be Hyphenated?

It depends on the variety of English you’re using:

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

Plural Forms:

• Passersby (US)
• Passers-by (UK)

When Should It Be Capitalized?

Only capitalize “passerby” when it begins a sentence or is part of a title.

Examples:

• The Passerby Who Changed Everything (book title)
• A passerby called for help.

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

Literature

• “The passersby paid no attention to his silent protest.”  –  George Orwell

Everyday Speech

• “I waved at the passersby as they walked past my art stall.”
• “A passerby handed me my dropped wallet.”

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?

• It hasn’t gained enough traction in print or speech.
• Major dictionaries and style guides reject it.
• Grammar authorities consistently correct it.

That said, it’s worth noting that many now-common terms (like “selfie” or “irregardless”) were once considered incorrect or slang.

Quote: “A language is not a fixed code, but a living, breathing organism. It changes with the people who speak it.”  –  Linguist David Crystal

Still, when it comes to writing or speaking in formal settings, “passersby” remains the gold standard.

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 plural
• Hyphenating “passerby” incorrectly
• Using the plural in a singular context
• Capitalizing unnecessarily

Quick Fix Tips

• ✅ Use “passerby” for one person, “passersby” for more than one.
• ✅ In the U.S., avoid the hyphen.
• ✅ Use grammar tools like Grammarly or Hemingway Editor to catch errors.
• ✅ When in doubt, look it up in a style guide like Chicago Manual of Style or AP Stylebook.

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

Getting these right not only boosts your grammar but also:

• Increases writing credibility
• Helps avoid awkward misunderstandings
• Impresses editors and readers

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

✅ Final Thoughts:

Getting grammar right isn’t about being a perfectionist – it’s about clarity, professionalism, and credibility. Words like “passerby,” “passersby,” and the mistakenly used “passerbyers” may seem trivial, but they reveal how well someone understands the nuances of the English language.

Now you know that “passerby” refers to a single person passing by, and “passersby” is the grammatically correct plural. You’ve also seen why “passerbyers” is incorrect, even if it pops up online. Understanding the logic behind compound noun pluralization gives you the upper hand – not just with this word but many others that follow similar patterns.

What is the correct plural of “passerby”?

The correct plural of “passerby” is “passersby.” In this compound noun, the plural attaches to the main noun “passer,” not the whole phrase. That’s why we don’t say “passerbys” or “passerbyers” – they’re both grammatically incorrect.

Is “passerbyers” ever acceptable in casual conversation?

No, “passerbyers” is not accepted in either formal or informal English. Even in casual speech, using the correct term – “passersby” – is preferred. It maintains clarity and avoids reinforcing bad habits in language use.

Why does “passersby” sound so odd?

It sounds odd because it breaks typical pluralization patterns. Most English plurals add “s” at the end. But compound nouns like “passerby” place the plural at the start – making “passersby” logical but unusual. With use, it becomes more natural.

Can I hyphenate “passerby” or “passersby”?

In British English, yes: “passer-by” and “passers-by” are standard. In American English, the hyphen is typically dropped: “passerby” and “passersby.” Both are correct, depending on the regional style you follow.

Are there other words similar to “passerby”?

Yes, several compound nouns follow similar plural rules. Examples include:

• Attorney general → Attorneys general
• Mother-in-law → Mothers-in-law
• Editor-in-chief → Editors-in-chief

Understanding how compound nouns work helps you avoid many common grammar errors.