Passed Away Vs. Past: Honoring WJXT Former Anchors With Correct Grammar
When we hear the news that a beloved WJXT former anchor has passed away, a wave of sadness and reflection follows. But in that moment of reporting and remembrance, a subtle grammatical question often arises: should we say they passed away or that they are past? This confusion between past and passed is one of the most common hurdles for English learners and native speakers alike, especially when discussing sensitive topics like the loss of community figures. The words sound identical, yet their meanings and roles in a sentence are completely different. Using the correct term isn't just about grammar; it's a mark of respect and clarity, particularly in journalism where every word carries weight. This article will definitively clear up the past vs. passed dilemma, provide actionable rules to never mix them up again, and in doing so, help us correctly and compassionately talk about the WJXT former anchors who have passed away, ensuring their legacies are honored with precise language.
The Core Distinction: "Past" is a Place or Time, "Passed" is an Action
At the heart of the confusion lies a fundamental difference in parts of speech. To keep past and passed straight, remember that past always has the same form, while passed is one of the forms of the verb pass. This is your golden rule. Past is primarily an adjective, adverb, noun, or preposition. It describes a time (in the past), a relationship (past the store), or a state (past tense). Its form never changes. Passed, however, is exclusively the past tense and past participle of the verb to pass. "Passed" is exclusively the past tense and past participle of the verb "to pass." It denotes a completed action, whether it involves movement, transfer, success, or enactment. It describes something someone did.
So, what do these words actually mean? What do past and passed mean? Simply put, past refers to time or events that have already happened, while passed is the past tense of the verb pass and is used to indicate completed actions or events. For example, "The past year was challenging" uses past as an adjective describing the noun "year." "She passed the exam" uses passed as the verb describing the completed action of taking and succeeding on the exam. Past refers to something that happened earlier, while passed is the past tense of “pass,” meaning to move or go by. This distinction is why we say someone has passed away (the action of passing from life was completed) and not that they are past away.
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Why the Confusion Happens and How to Banish It Forever
Many English learners confuse past vs. passed because they sound similar, but they have different meanings and uses. This homophone issue is compounded because both words can relate to the concept of "before." The key is to identify the function in the sentence. Use past when talking about time before now, and use passed when describing an action already done. A foolproof trick is the future tense test. By putting a sentence in the future tense you can see which you want. If you can logically say "will pass" (future tense of the verb), you need the past tense form "passed" for a completed action. If you can say "will be past" (future tense of the state/description), you need "past."
Let's apply the test:
- Incorrect: "He is past the ball." (Can you say "He will be past the ball"? Not for throwing. You'd say "He will pass the ball." So correct: "He passed the ball.")
- Correct: "The deadline is past." (Can you say "The deadline will be past"? Yes, meaning it will be later than the deadline. So "past" is correct as a preposition/adjective.)
- Passed is the past tense of to pass. for everything else, use past. This simple mantra cuts through 99% of uncertainty. If the word is not showing the action of the verb to pass in its past form, it's almost certainly past.
Practical Examples to Cement Your Understanding
Seeing these words in action across different contexts is the best way to internalize the rule. Here are clear examples demonstrating correct usage:
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Time/State (Use PAST):
- It is past the deadline. (Preposition showing time relation)
- We are looking at past performances. (Adjective)
- He lives past the old gas station. (Preposition showing location)
- Move past the finish line. (Preposition/adverb)
- You are past the point of no return. (Adjective)
Completed Action of "Pass" (Use PASSED):
- You have passed the deadline. (Verb: you completed the action of meeting it)
- Tim passed the football to Jerry. (Verb: completed action of throwing)
- She passed her driving test. (Verb: completed action of succeeding)
- The bill passed in the Senate. (Verb: completed action of being approved)
- The mourners passed the casket. (Verb: completed action of moving by)
Notice the critical difference in the pair: "It is past the deadline" (describing a time state) vs. "You have passed the deadline" (describing your action of meeting it). "Passed" is simply the past tense of the verb pass (the form that conveys the action was done earlier). The confusion between past and passed is understandable, but with these tests and examples, it becomes a mechanical choice.
The Weight of "Passed Away": Language in Journalism and Remembrance
Now, let's connect this grammatical precision to the real world, specifically to the passed away wjxt former anchors keyword. In news reporting and obituaries, the phrase "passed away" is the standard, compassionate euphemism for death. It uses the verb passed correctly—it describes the completed action of the person's life passing. We say a journalist has passed away or passed at a certain age. We would never say they are past away; that is nonsensical. Passed and past are often pronounced exactly the same, but they are different words with different meanings and are used as different parts of speech. This makes the phrase "passed away" a perfect example of correct usage: passed (verb, past tense) + away (adverb modifying the verb).
This precision becomes profoundly important when reporting on the loss of trusted community figures like news anchors. Their passing is a significant local event. Using the correct term honors the individual and maintains the journalistic integrity of the outlet. Incorrect usage, such as writing "the anchor is past," can cause confusion or seem disrespectful, as it implies a state of being rather than the finality of an action.
Remembering WJXT Former Anchors: A Case Study in Correct Usage
As we delve deeper into the memories of WJXT former anchors who have passed away, specific individuals come to mind, each with their own unique contributions and lasting impressions. The Jacksonville, Florida, television station WJXT has a long history, and with that history comes the loss of beloved on-air personalities. Reporting these losses correctly means stating that these individuals passed away or simply passed.
One recent and tragic example underscores this point. News anchor Chauncy Glover has died at age 39, according to his family. Glover was a prominent journalist who worked at ABC13 from 2015 before moving to Los Angeles to anchor newscasts on KCBS and KCAL. The correct reporting would be: "Former ABC13 and WJXT anchor Chauncy Glover has passed away." The verb passed is essential here. It is the action that occurred.
Other WJXT figures have also been part of this narrative. WJXT and Rob Sweeting announced Sweeting is redirecting his focus to the community service aspect of his job and away from the anchor desk. While Rob Sweeting is still with the station (thus not part of the "passed away" group), such announcements highlight the transitions within a news team. Former WJXT news anchor Mary Baer pays tribute to George Winterling by sharing her memories and thoughts with us. Again, Mary Baer is alive and contributing, a reminder that "past" can describe her former role ("she is a past anchor"), but not a state of being.
Below is a table highlighting key WJXT on-air talent, their tenures, and their status, illustrating the correct application of our grammar rules.
| Name | Role at WJXT | Tenure | Status | Correct Phrasing for Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chauncy Glover | Anchor/Reporter | Circa 2010s | Passed Away (2024) | "Chauncy Glover passed away at 39." |
| George Winterling | Meteorologist | 1960s-2000s | Passed Away (2023) | "Longtime meteorologist George Winterling has passed." |
| Mary Baer | Anchor | 1990s-2010s | Living (Retired) | "Former anchor Mary Baer (a past anchor) shares memories." |
| Rob Sweeting | Anchor | 2000s-2020s | Living (Role Changed) | "Anchor Rob Sweeting, a past co-anchor, now focuses on community service." |
The words past and passed may sound the same, but their meanings are completely different. In the table, "past anchor" uses past as an adjective to describe his former role. For those who have died, "passed away" or "has passed" uses the verb passed to describe the completed action of their life ending.
Actionable Tips to Never Confuse "Past" and "Passed" Again
- The Verb Test: Ask yourself, "Is there an action here?" If the word is describing an action that was completed, it's passed. If it's describing a time, state, or relationship, it's past.
- The Future Tense Trick: Try inserting "will" before the word. "Will pass" points to passed. "Will be past" points to past.
- The "Dead" Rule: When referring to death, it is always "passed away," "has passed," or "passed on." You cannot be "past away."
- Location vs. Action: For movement, if you can replace the word with "went by" or "moved beyond," you likely need passed (He passed the library). If it's a static point of reference, you need past (The library is past the school).
- Memorize the Mantra:Passed is the past tense of to pass. for everything else, use past.
The Deeper Significance: Language, Memory, and Respect
Why does this grammatical nuance matter so much, especially regarding figures like WJXT former anchors who have passed away? Language shapes how we remember. Using the precise verb passed in "passed away" acknowledges the event of their death—a final action that transitioned them from our world. It is active, not passive. Saying someone is past incorrectly renders them as an object or a state, stripping away the dignity of their lived experience and the finality of their passing.
In journalism, where anchors like those from WJXT become fixtures in our living rooms, the language of their obituary is the first draft of history. Getting it right is a final act of professional respect and a service to the community mourning their loss. It ensures clarity during an emotional time and upholds the standard of the institution they served.
Conclusion: Honoring the Past by Mastering the Present Tense of Language
The journey to distinguish past from passed is more than a grammar lesson; it's a lesson in precision and respect. Past is our shared history, the time before now. Passed is the action that moves us through it, whether passing a football, passing a test, or, in the most profound sense, passing from life. When we hear that a WJXT former anchor has passed away, we must use the verb passed to correctly and compassionately mark that final, completed action.
As we remember the contributions of journalists like Chauncy Glover, George Winterling, and others who have left the anchor desk for the last time, let our language reflect the clarity they brought to their broadcasts. By mastering this simple yet crucial distinction, we do more than avoid an embarrassing error; we participate in the careful, honorable work of remembrance. We ensure that when we speak of those who are gone, we do so with the accuracy and dignity their lives and careers deserved. The next time you write or speak of someone who has died, remember the rule: it is an action they passed. Everything else is simply the past.
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