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Meaning trap

pass on

give or communicate

to give something to someone else, or to share information with another person.

phrasal verbB1common

Don't mix these meanings

Same phrase, different job.

give or communicate

to give something to someone else, or to share information with another person.

pass on (decline an offer)

Another meaning of 'pass on' is 'decline an offer'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.

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Hear it in context

Notice where the phrase sounds natural.

  • Could you pass on this message to your brother when you see him?communication
  • In my opinion, it's important to pass on traditional values to the next generation so that they understand their culture.IELTS speaking

Fix the pattern

Pattern: pass sth on (to sb) / pass on sth (to sb)

WrongCan you pass on her the message?

RightCan you pass the message on to her?

The person takes 'to' — 'pass it on TO her'.

Patternpass sth on (to sb) / pass on sth (to sb)

Use it right

Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.

Stiff Kindly transmit my regards to your family.

Natural Pass on my regards to your family.

'Transmit my regards' is robotic; 'pass on' is warm and normal.

Build natural chunks

Words that usually travel with it.

  • pass on a message
    pass on the messagepass on my regardspass on informationpass it on

Don't confuse it

Not the same as 'pass away' (to die) or 'pass by' (to go past).

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