pass on a message

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass on a message" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you're asking someone to tell another person something that you want them to know. For example, "Could you please pass on a message that I won't be able to make it to the meeting today?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

He wants me to pass on a message.

The Guardian

His deputy promised to pass on a message.

The Guardian

She'd forgotten to pass on a message or something like that, and he yelled at her.

The New Yorker

"I want to pass on a message from the women's softball team," he said.

The New Yorker

I'm here just to pass on a message from Matt Andrews, a member of the Guardian's digital development team.

The Guardian

She flagged him down in the crowd and asked if he would pass on a message to his officer, PC Mildinhall.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Whatever he decides, I feel honour bound to pass on a few messages from the huge number of people who have taken exception to his recent comments on issues affecting Britain's black and Asian communities.

The Guardian

Reports suggested that Netanyahu passed on a message to his Syrian counterpart about reopening peace negotiations.

The Guardian - Opinion

In that time, a British officer passed on a message from Farafenni that Binta, his wife, had died of meningitis.

The New York Times

In fact, this is merely the address of their accountants – who passed on a message, with no result.

The Guardian - Business

Ms. Porcaro used her Twitter account to promote Ms. Quinn's candidacy, passing on a message from the speaker that encouraged New Yorkers to watch her campaign video.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pass on a message", ensure the context clearly indicates who is passing the message, who is receiving it, and what the message is about. Clarity is key for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid vague references when using "pass on a message". Ensure it's clear who the original sender and ultimate recipient of the message are to prevent miscommunication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass on a message" functions as a phrasal verb, indicating the action of conveying information from one party to another through an intermediary. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

14%

Vice

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

The Guardian - Film

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass on a message" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb used to describe the act of relaying information through an intermediary. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely accepted and used across various contexts, from news and media to casual conversations. The phrase maintains a neutral register, making it suitable for diverse communication needs. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the sender, recipient, and content of the message to avoid any miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give someone a message

Simple, direct way of saying to tell someone something.

convey a message

Formal alternative, emphasizes the act of communicating something.

deliver a message

Suggests a more direct and official transmission of information.

relay a message

Implies transmitting a message from one person to another, often through an intermediary.

transmit a message

More technical and formal, often used in the context of signals or data.

communicate a message

Broader term for making information known.

forward a message

Common in digital communication, meaning to send a message that you received to someone else.

send word

More old-fashioned and indirect way of conveying information.

let someone know

Informal way to say to inform someone of something.

get the message across

Focuses on successfully communicating the intended meaning.

FAQs

How can I use "pass on a message" in a sentence?

You can use "pass on a message" when you want someone to deliver information to another person. For example, "Could you please pass on a message to John that I'll be late?"

What are some alternatives to "pass on a message"?

Alternatives include "convey a message", "deliver a message", or "relay a message", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "passed on a message" instead of "pass on a message"?

Yes, "passed on a message" is the past tense form of the phrase. For example, "He passed on a message from the boss yesterday".

What's the difference between "pass on a message" and "send a message"?

"Pass on a message" implies using an intermediary to deliver the message, while "send a message" can be direct or indirect.