pass it onto

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'pass it onto' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase to refer to someone who is giving something to another person. For example, "The manager asked me to pass it onto the new employee."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

You should be able to pass it onto your children.

The Guardian

The data that you obtain belongs to you, and there is no obligation to pass it onto any third party.

The Guardian

If enough of Facebook's users report a story as fake, the social network will pass it onto these third parties to scrutinize.

The Guardian - Tech

Perhaps there is a greedy gene – my mother was also greedy – and I have managed not to pass it onto Hugh.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I got released suddenly and unexpectedly and didn't get a chance to give it back, or pass it onto whoever was the next in line.

The Guardian - Books

The European Central Bank will also contribute, by passing the profits from its Greek bondholdings onto the national central banks, who will then pass it onto Greece.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

"If somebody had trashed it, we would have been the middle man passing it onto them".

The New York Times

And they were involved in the 1989 Romanian revolution, he claims, gathering intelligence and passing it onto the revolutionaries.

The Economist

A whole generation decided this was the best way to deal with it, and then by accident they passed it onto their children, he explains.

The Guardian - Business

A member of the crowd who wishes to remain anonymous took a video of the incident and passed it onto Guardian Australia.

The Guardian

There are two choices - let the business absorb the cost resulting in a reduced margin or passing it onto the consumer via increased retail prices.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pass it onto", ensure the subject and object are clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of saying 'pass it onto them', specify 'pass the document onto the team members'.

Common error

Avoid confusing "onto" with "on to". "Onto" indicates movement to a surface, while "on to" is used when continuing an action. In the case of "pass it onto", "onto" is correct because it indicates the direction of transfer.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "pass it onto" is as a phrasal verb. It combines the verb "pass" with the preposition "onto" to indicate the action of transferring something to someone or something else. This is consistent with the examples Ludwig provides.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

9%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass it onto" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrasal verb that describes the act of transferring something to another person or entity. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is suitable for written English and can be used to convey the act of giving something. The analysis of various sources shows its prevalent use in news media, formal business communications, and scientific articles, making it a versatile expression for diverse writing contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to ensure clarity and avoid confusing "onto" with "on to". Alternatives like "transfer it to", ""give it to"", and ""hand it over to"" can provide alternative ways to express the same idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give it to

A simpler and more direct way of saying "pass it onto".

transfer it to

Focuses on the act of moving something to another place or person.

forward it to

Commonly used in the context of emails or messages.

hand it over to

Implies a physical act of giving something to someone.

transmit it to

Focuses on the act of sending something, often information or a signal.

relay it to

Specifically suggests transmitting information received from someone else.

convey it to

Emphasizes the transmission of information or a message.

entrust it to

Implies giving something to someone with confidence and trust.

assign it to

Suggests delegating a task or responsibility.

cede it to

Suggests formally relinquishing control or ownership.

FAQs

How can I use "pass it onto" in a sentence?

You can use "pass it onto" to describe the act of giving something, whether it's a physical object or information, to someone else. For example, "Could you please "pass it onto" the next person in line?"

What are some alternatives to "pass it onto"?

Some alternatives to "pass it onto" include "transfer it to", "give it to", or "hand it over to". The best choice depends on the context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "pass it on to" instead of "pass it onto"?

While "pass it on to" is grammatically correct and commonly used, ""pass it onto"" is also acceptable and implies a more direct transfer. Choose the option that best fits the tone and clarity of your writing.

What's the difference between "pass it onto" and "delegate it to"?

While both phrases involve transferring something to another person, ""pass it onto"" generally refers to a simple transfer of an object or information. "delegate it to" implies assigning a task or responsibility.