pass on the invitation

USAGE SUMMARY

"pass on the invitation" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to transfer or convey an invitation to someone. It can be used in various situations, such as when someone has received an invitation but cannot attend and asks another person to attend in their place, or when someone wants to invite someone else to an event via a third party. For example: - "I can't make it to the wedding, but could you please pass on the invitation to our mutual friend?" - "I wanted to invite Jane to the party, but I don't have her contact information. Can you pass on the invitation to her?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

I didn't sing for Nixon, I was in Europe at the time and had to pass on the invitation.

The Guardian

The GPs were then asked to pass on the invitation to the mother of the control child; in turn, the mothers were asked to contact the study team.

Environmental Health Perspectives

Also, ask that your friends or fans pass on the invitation to their friends.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Most members passed on the invitation.

The New York Times

It appears that Belle's father passed on the invitation because when Boswell tried again a year later, Belle herself replied that all she knew of Scotland was that it produced "decidedly despotic husbands and humble, simple wives who blushed and looked at their lords before opening their mouths".

The Guardian - Books

It is not often that The Economist uses its pages to pass on party invitations, but here is one that might be of interest not only to existing readers, but also to future generations.

The Economist

Relatives/spouses with HBM were in turn asked to pass on study invitations to their first-degree relatives and spouses.

Bone

Index cases were asked to pass on study invitations to their first-degree relatives and spouse/partner(s).

Bone

In an interview with KFAN-FM, Birk explained his decision to take a pass on the White House invitation.

Los Angeles Times

Also, neonatologists initially contacted were urged to pass the invitation on to other heads of NICUs.

European Journal of Pediatrics

Ask them to pass the invitation on to others that they know knew the deceased too.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pass on the invitation", ensure the context makes clear whether you are declining the invitation for yourself or offering it to someone else.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who is declining or receiving the invitation. For example, instead of just saying "I passed on the invitation", clarify with "I passed on the invitation to John" (offering it to someone else) or "I passed on the invitation because I was busy" (declining it).

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass on the invitation" functions as a verb phrase where 'pass on' is a phrasal verb indicating the act of transferring or declining something, and 'the invitation' is the direct object. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pass on the invitation" is a grammatically correct phrasal verb used to convey the act of either declining an invitation or transferring it to someone else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. Its usage is relatively rare, appearing in contexts such as news, scientific articles, and wikis. When using this phrase, ensure clarity regarding whether you're declining or transferring the invitation, and maintain politeness in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

decline the invitation

Focuses specifically on refusing the invitation.

reject the invitation

Similar to decline, but can imply a stronger refusal.

turn down the invitation

An informal way to decline.

extend the invitation

Emphasizes sharing the invitation with someone else.

forward the invitation

Suggests a direct transfer of the invitation, often electronically.

not accept the invitation

Focuses on the lack of acceptance.

hand over the invitation

Suggests a physical transfer of the invitation.

give the invitation to someone else

A more descriptive way of indicating the invitation is being passed to another person.

transfer the invitation

Implies officially reassigning the invitation.

defer the invitation

To postpone or delay accepting the invitation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "pass on the invitation"?

To "pass on the invitation" means either to decline an invitation you have received, or to transfer that invitation to someone else.

How can I "pass on the invitation" to someone else?

You can "pass on the invitation" to someone else by informing them about the event and encouraging them to attend in your place. You might "extend the invitation" directly to them.

What are some alternatives to saying "pass on the invitation" when declining?

When declining, you could say you will "decline the invitation", "reject the invitation", or "turn down the invitation".

Is it rude to "pass on the invitation"?

It's not inherently rude to "pass on the invitation", but it's important to do so politely and, if declining, to offer a reason if appropriate. It is important to inform the host as soon as possible if you decline the invitation.