pass around

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass around" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
It can be used to indicate the action of handing something to multiple people in a circle, often in order to allow them to look at or use it. For example: "Please pass around the brochure so everyone can have a chance to read it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Stuck at checkpoints, Iraqis pass around cigarettes.

The Economist

Clip, save and pass around.

The New York Times - Tech

You will need some Parmesan to pass around.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And two cakes to pass around, one sugar-free for diabetics.

The New York Times

The app would be great to pass around to friends during commercials and other down time.

The New York Times - Tech

First I might pass around a plate of salami with prosciutto and speck.

The New York Times

These creatures might not even notice us as they pass around or through us.

The New Yorker

Increasingly, she notes, residents pass around ideas and opinions via the Internet.

The Economist

"It was through the Internet that people would connect to pass around videotapes," Mr. Genia said.

The New York Times

Naima served them unsweetened black coffee and asked me to pass around a plate of almonds.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Create something of value that people will pass around.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to distribute items, be specific about the intended recipients and the method of distribution. For instance, instead of just saying "pass around the pamphlets", specify "pass around the pamphlets to everyone at the table".

Common error

Be mindful of what exactly is being "passed around". Avoid using "pass around" when the item being distributed is unclear or could be misinterpreted. Instead, clarify the object of distribution to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pass around" is that of a phrasal verb. It describes the action of distributing something to multiple people, usually within a group. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage as seen in many examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass around" functions as a phrasal verb that signifies the act of distributing something among a group of people, and it's considered grammatically correct. It appears very frequently in various contexts. Predominantly used in News & Media, Wiki and Science, Ludwig AI examples show its versatility. While generally neutral, it's important to consider more formal alternatives like "disseminate" or "distribute" in certain professional contexts to maintain clarity and formality. Using descriptive alternatives helps to improve the precision of your writing depending on the setting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand out

Focuses on giving something to multiple people, often individually.

circulate among

Suggests something is moving from person to person within a group.

distribute among

Implies a more formal or organized distribution to a group.

share with everyone

Emphasizes making something available to all members of a group.

give to each person

Highlights the individual act of giving to multiple recipients.

offer to everyone

Focuses on making something available, implying potential acceptance or rejection.

make available

Emphasizes the act of providing access rather than direct transfer.

disseminate among

Implies a wider or more abstract form of spreading something, like information.

shuffle around

Suggests a less organized or casual distribution.

spread among

Highlights the dispersal of something across a group or area.

FAQs

What does "pass around" mean?

The phrase "pass around" means to distribute something among a group of people, often so each person can view or use it.

How can I use "pass around" in a sentence?

You can use "pass around" to describe the act of distributing physical items, like "Please "pass around" these documents", or information, like "They "pass around" rumors at the office".

Are there any synonyms for "pass around"?

Yes, you can use alternatives such as "hand out", "distribute among", or "circulate among" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "pass around" in formal writing?

While "pass around" is generally acceptable, in very formal writing, you might consider more precise alternatives like "disseminate among" or "distribute to" for added clarity and formality.