passed along

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed along" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you are talking about someone conveying a message or item of information to another person. For example, "I received the details of the meeting and passed them along to the rest of the team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The gripes get passed along as well.

The New York Times

Those payments are passed along by DirecTV to customers.

The New York Times

Reporters have passed along some details of what the G.A.O.

The New York Times

Back when the yen was gaining, Fujita passed along savings.

Forbes

But sometimes, emotions that are passed along aren't so helpful.

Huffington Post

"I passed along with everyone else," she said.

Huffington Post

"Toot toot,'' I passed along.

The New Yorker

None were passed along to NASD, either.

The New York Times

The information is passed along the grapevine.

The New York Times

"I had unknowingly passed along false information.

The New York Times

I have passed along your comment to Dan Shapiro.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "passed along" when you want to emphasize the act of relaying something from one person or entity to another, ensuring the recipient receives it.

Common error

Avoid using "passed along" when the subject is receiving rather than transmitting. For example, don't say "The information was passed along to me by itself"; instead, say "The information was given to me" or "I received the information".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed along" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive one, meaning it requires a direct object. It describes the action of transferring or relaying something—information, items, or even responsibility—from one entity to another. As Ludwig notes, it's a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passed along" is a versatile phrasal verb commonly used to describe the act of relaying information or items from one person or entity to another. As Ludwig confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. While suitable for various contexts, it's particularly prevalent in News & Media. Related phrases include "relayed" and "conveyed", offering similar but nuanced meanings. When using "passed along", ensure that the subject is the one doing the transmitting, not receiving, to avoid misuse. This phrase is a staple in everyday language, making it essential for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

relayed

Focuses specifically on transmitting information or a message.

conveyed

Highlights the act of communicating or making something known.

transmitted

Suggests a more formal or technical method of sending something.

handed down

Emphasizes the passing of something from one generation to another.

forwarded

Implies sending something onward, often electronically.

communicated

Broader term for sharing information, not necessarily in a direct line.

disseminated

Suggests a wide distribution of information.

circulated

Indicates something moving among a group or within a system.

imparted

Refers to sharing knowledge or wisdom.

transferred

Highlights the movement of something from one place or person to another.

FAQs

How can I use "passed along" in a sentence?

You can use "passed along" to describe the act of relaying information or an item to someone else. For example: "I received the message and "passed along" to my supervisor" or "The tradition was "passed along" through generations".

What are some alternatives to "passed along"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "relayed", "conveyed", or "transmitted". Each of these words offers a slightly different nuance to the act of passing something on.

Is "passed along" formal or informal?

"Passed along" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it leans slightly towards the neutral side. In highly formal situations, you might prefer "conveyed" or "transmitted".

What's the difference between "passed along" and "handed down"?

"Passed along" generally refers to relaying information or items, whereas "handed down" typically implies the transmission of traditions, knowledge, or possessions from one generation to the next.