Driving · Getting around
overtake
pass another vehicle
You overtake when you drive past a slower vehicle.
This vs that
The car overtook the lorry.
The cyclist got past the lorry.
Hear it in real life
Why are you staying behind that car?
There's nowhere safe to overtake.
I waited until the road was clear before overtaking the lorry.
Which sounds natural?
Psst — which one would you actually say?
Drivers commonly say 'overtake'; the stiff version sounds like a written report.
The mistake everyone makes
Not: I overtook from the bus on the motorway.
Say: I overtook the bus on the motorway.
Use 'overtake' directly with the vehicle you pass.
Say it together
Whole chunks natives use with it.
safe to overtake
Wait until it's safe to overtake the van.
It wasn't safe to overtake because the bend was too sharp.
Phrases to borrow
More for talking about driving.
keep an eye on the road
Keep an eye on the road while I check the map.
get stuck behind ___
We got stuck behind a slow lorry.
Driving words
Getting around · Driving: the words around “overtake”.
Your turn: say it out loud
I waited for a safe place to overtake.
Say it out loud two or three times, until it feels like yours.
overtake
pass another vehicle
“I waited until the road was clear before overtaking the lorry.”
heytardy