Describe the distinctions between past and past.

The question seems to have a typo, as it asks for the distinctions between "past and past." However, I will assume that the intended question is to describe the distinctions between "past" and "passed."

"Past" and "passed" are two words that are often confused due to their similar spelling and pronunciation. However, they have different meanings and functions in the English language.

1. Past (noun): The word "past" is primarily used as a noun to refer to a time that has already happened or is no longer present. It represents a period of time that has gone by, such as the past year, past decade, or past century. It can also refer to a person's personal history or experiences, as in "She has a troubled past." Additionally, "past" can be used as an adjective to describe something that has occurred or existed before, as in "past events" or "past achievements."

2. Past (preposition): "Past" can also function as a preposition, indicating movement or location beyond a certain point. For example, "He walked past the store" or "The car drove past the house." In these cases, "past" indicates movement or position in relation to a specific point or object.

3. Passed (verb): On the other hand, "passed" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "to pass." It is used to indicate an action that has been completed or occurred in the past. For instance, "She passed the exam" or "They passed the finish line." "Passed" can also be used as an adjective to describe something that has been approved or accepted, as in "The bill was passed by the committee."

In summary, the main distinction between "past" and "passed" lies in their different grammatical functions and meanings. "Past" is primarily used as a noun or preposition to refer to a time that has already occurred or to indicate movement beyond a certain point. On the other hand, "passed" is the past tense and past participle form of the verb "to pass," indicating an action that has been completed in the past.