pass phone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pass phone" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be used informally in spoken language to request someone to hand over a phone, but it lacks clarity in written form. Example: "Can you pass the phone to me?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

If Dick Christie lived and worked in 2000, he would undoubtedly own a pager that sends and receives e-mail, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone with Web access, and perhaps even an electronic assistant able to pass phone calls and e-mail to him wherever he is.

The New York Times - Tech

Pass phone numbers.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In cases where the smallest obstacle could spell failure, Neighbor's Keeper has been on hand with bus passes, phone cards or school uniforms.

The New York Times

Groupies are traditionally on the vulnerable end of the exchange between their crushes and themselves: naïfs with ponytails and jelly knees, passing phone numbers and flashing breasts, at the mercy of their chosen idol.

The New Yorker

By Lauren Collins Groupies are traditionally on the vulnerable end of the exchange between their crushes and themselves: naïfs with ponytails and jelly knees, passing phone numbers and flashing breasts, at the mercy of their chosen idol.

The New Yorker

Haringey then admitted they are passing phone calls to Lendlease for them to answer, including calls about their relationship.

Vice

Those who passed phone screening were invited to attend an orientation session.

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Internet calls generally pass from phone to phone over the network, not through a central point where they could be easily recorded.

Forbes

A low-pass phone-band filter (cut-off frequency at 3400 Hz and stop frequency at 4000 Hz) is applied to the entire original audio stream.

EURASIP Journal on Image and Video Processing

I expected her to pass the phone around the table.

The New York Times

The girl hesitated, then reached out and let him pass the phone into her hand.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, use more explicit phrases like "hand the phone to" or "give the phone to" instead of the ambiguous "pass phone".

Common error

Avoid using "pass phone" in formal contexts as it lacks clarity. Always specify who is handing the phone to whom for better understanding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pass phone" functions as a verb phrase, intending to describe the action of physically handing a telephone to someone. However, according to Ludwig AI, it's not considered grammatically correct in standard written English due to its lack of clarity and formality.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "pass phone" may be understood in informal conversation, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard written English. As Ludwig AI points out, it's often better to use more explicit and grammatically correct alternatives such as "hand the phone to" or "give the phone to" for clarity and formality. Usage contexts range from news and media to wikis, but it is important to consider the register of your writing and choose the most appropriate phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hand over the phone

Replaces "pass" with "hand over" for improved clarity and formality.

give the phone to

Uses "give" to indicate transferring the phone to someone.

transfer the call

Focuses on transferring a phone call rather than physically passing the phone.

put someone on the phone

Highlights the action of connecting someone to a phone conversation.

let someone use the phone

Focuses on allowing someone to use the phone.

pass the mobile

Substitutes phone for mobile

forward the call

Focuses on forwarding a phone call rather than physically passing the phone.

give me the phone

An alternative focused on the request and action of receiving the phone.

could you pass the phone

Adding "could you" at the beginning transforms the phrase into a polite request.

present the phone

Alternative focused on the action of formally handing over the phone.

FAQs

What's a clearer way to say "pass phone"?

Instead of "pass phone", you can say "hand the phone over", "give the phone to", or "transfer the call" depending on the context.

Is "pass phone" grammatically correct?

While informally understood, "pass phone" isn't grammatically correct in formal English. It's better to use a complete sentence, like "Can you "pass the phone to me"?"

When is it okay to use "pass phone"?

It's acceptable in very informal speech among close acquaintances, but avoid it in professional or academic writing. In such situations, consider more formal alternatives such as "hand over the phone".

What's the difference between "pass phone" and "pass a phone"?

"Pass phone" implies a request or action related to a specific phone currently in use or context. "Pass a phone" suggests handing over any phone. However, both phrases are grammatically uncommon and should be avoided in formal settings.