Introduction

You might’ve seen or even used the word passerbyers at some point—maybe in casual writing, online comments, or social media posts. At first glance, it sounds right. After all, we pluralize most English words by adding “-ers” or “-s,” so why not this one? Still, many writers pause and wonder if the term is actually correct. That hesitation is well-placed. English has a habit of breaking its own rules, especially with compound nouns. In this article, we’ll unpack what passerbyers really is, why it appears so often, and what the correct form should be. By the end, you’ll know exactly when—and when not—to use it, and you’ll avoid one of the most common grammar slip-ups with confidence.

What Does Passerbyers Mean—and Is It a Real Word?

Let’s start with the basics. The word passerbyers is commonly used to describe people who are walking past a place, event, or situation—essentially people who are not directly involved but happen to be nearby. That meaning comes from the word passerby, which refers to someone passing by.

However, here’s the important part: passerbyers is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

The correct plural of passerby is passersby, not passerbyers.

Why does this happen? English compound nouns sometimes pluralize the main noun in the phrase instead of the ending. In passerby, the core noun is passer, while by functions more like a directional modifier. When you pluralize it, you pluralize passer, resulting in passersby.

So while passerbyers may feel natural—and is commonly used online—it’s technically a grammatical error. Dictionaries, grammar guides, and professional style manuals all recognize passersby as the correct plural form.

That said, the frequent use of passerbyers makes it an interesting example of how language evolves through everyday speech.

Why People Commonly Say “Passerbyers”

Even though passerbyers isn’t grammatically correct, it shows up a lot. There are a few reasons why so many English speakers naturally gravitate toward it.

First, English trains us to pluralize words by adding -s or -ers. Words like drivers, readers, and walkers follow consistent rules. When people see passerby, their instincts kick in, telling them to add “-ers” to pluralize it.

Second, compound nouns aren’t always intuitive. English has patterns like brothers-in-law and editors-in-chief, but those rules aren’t top-of-mind for most people. In everyday conversation, clarity often matters more than grammatical perfection.

Third, digital communication plays a big role. On social media and comment sections, people write quickly. They prioritize being understood over being grammatically precise. Since passerbyers is easily understood in context, it spreads naturally.

Finally, many English learners adopt passerbyers because it sounds logical. Without formal grammar instruction, it’s a reasonable guess—and one that native speakers make too.

This widespread usage doesn’t make the word correct, but it explains why it continues to appear across the internet.

Passerby vs. Passersby: The Correct Forms Explained

To avoid confusion, it helps to break the word down clearly.

Singular form:

• Passerby → one person who is passing by
  “A passerby stopped to help.”

Plural form:

• Passersby → more than one person passing by
  “Several passersby gathered around.”

The pluralization rule works the same way as:

• Attorney general → attorneys general

• Mother-in-law → mothers-in-law

In each case, the primary noun is pluralized, not the entire phrase.

Passerbyers, on the other hand, adds a plural ending to the whole compound, which breaks this rule. While understandable, it’s incorrect in formal writing, academic work, news articles, and professional communication.

If you’re writing something casual, readers will likely grasp your meaning anyway. But for polished writing—especially on websites, blogs, or publications—passersby is the safer and more professional choice.

Is Passerbyers Ever Acceptable in Modern English?

This is where things get interesting. Language evolves based on usage, not just rules. So is passerbyers completely unacceptable?

From a formal standpoint: yes, it’s incorrect.

From a descriptive, real-world standpoint: it’s becoming more common.

Linguists often study how language is actually used rather than how books say it should be used. In that sense, passerbyers exists as a non-standard variant. You’ll see it in:

• Social media posts

• Online forums

• Informal blogs

• Casual storytelling

That doesn’t mean it will be accepted into dictionaries anytime soon, but it does show how natural language bends toward convenience.

If your goal is authority, credibility, or SEO-friendly content, it’s best to stick with passersby. If your goal is capturing informal speech or showing realistic dialogue, passerbyers may appear naturally—but it should be a stylistic choice, not an accident.

Common Grammar Mistakes Related to Passerbyers

The confusion around passerbyers leads to a few common grammar errors worth clearing up.

Adding “-ers” Automatically

Many writers assume passerby works like runner, which leads to passerbyers. This assumption ignores the compound structure of the word.

Unsure Verb Agreement

Incorrect:
“There was many passerbyers watching.”

Correct:
“There were many passersby watching.”

Avoiding the Word Altogether

Some writers dodge the issue by using vague alternatives like people or crowd. While that works, it often loses precision.

Better alternatives include:

• Passersby

• Onlookers

• Bystanders

• Pedestrians

Understanding why passerbyers is incorrect helps you make clearer choices instead of guessing.

Conclusion

The word passerbyers is a great example of how English can feel logical while still being wrong. Although it’s commonly used and easily understood, it doesn’t follow standard grammatical rules. The correct plural form of passerby is passersby, and that’s the version you should use in formal, professional, and polished writing. Knowing the difference helps you sound more confident and precise without overthinking grammar rules. Once you understand how compound nouns work, mistakes like passerbyers become much easier to avoid—and that’s a small win for clearer, sharper communication.

FAQs

Is passerbyers a real word?

No. Passerbyers is not considered grammatically correct in standard English.

What is the correct plural of passerby?

The correct plural form is passersby.

Why do people say passerbyers so often?

Because it follows common plural patterns in English and sounds logical in casual speech.

Can I use passerbyers in informal writing?

While people will understand it, it’s better avoided if you want clean, professional writing.

Are there alternatives to using passerby or passersby?

Yes—words like bystanders, onlookers, or pedestrians work depending on context.