Overtake vs Pass

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

	Overtake	Pass
Meaning	To go past someone or something moving in the same direction.	To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen.
CEFR level	-	A2
Part of speech		verb
Usage notes	Commonly used in driving contexts; can also refer to surpassing someone in achievements. Avoid using in very formal situations.	Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. Can refer to physical movement or to allowing someone to take a turn (e.g., in games). Not typically used in very formal writing when describing decisions.

Frequently asked questions: Overtake vs Pass

What's the difference between "Overtake" and "Pass"?

"Overtake" means: To go past someone or something moving in the same direction. "Pass" means: To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen.

When should I use "Overtake" and "Pass"?

They can all be used in everyday English.