passed on

USAGE SUMMARY

"passed on" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it to express the act of conveying information, goods, or qualities to another person or group. For example, "My grandmother passed on her love of cooking to me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

'E's passed on!

The Guardian

"Everything creative is passed on by him".

Forbes

His parents passed on before him.

Global Health Action

I passed on that one.

The New York Times - Food

He passed on it.

The New York Times - Sports

Castelli passed on them.

The New Yorker

We passed on them all.

The New York Times

He passed on the drink.

The New York Times - Sports

Romney passed on that chance.

The New York Times

She passed on the offer.

The New York Times

Lytro passed on that idea.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "passed on" to mean 'died', consider your audience and the context. It is a euphemism, and while it can soften the directness of the word 'died', it may not be appropriate in all situations. Consider /s/deceased or /s/passed+away instead if you want to maintain a formal tone.

Common error

Avoid using "passed on" in technical writing when a more precise term like "transmitted", "transferred", or "delegated" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of "The data was passed on", use "The data was transmitted" in a scientific report.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "passed on" functions primarily as a phrasal verb. It can indicate the transfer of something (information, object, etc.), declining an offer, or serve as a euphemism for death, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

13%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Reference

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "passed on" is a versatile phrasal verb with multiple meanings, including transferring something, declining an offer, or serving as a euphemism for death. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its prevalence in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. While grammatically correct and very common, its usage requires careful consideration of the specific context to ensure clarity and appropriateness. According to Ludwig, the phrase is widely accepted and useful in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transferred

Highlights the movement of something from one place or person to another, often in a more formal or official context.

handed down

Focuses on the transmission of knowledge, traditions, or skills from one generation to the next.

bequeathed

Specifically refers to leaving something in a will, narrowing the context to inheritance after death.

relinquished

Implies a voluntary giving up of something, often a position or right. It changes the focus from transferring to abandoning.

expired

Refers specifically to the end of life, particularly in a gentle or euphemistic way.

declined

Indicates a refusal to accept something offered, shifting the meaning to rejection.

demised

A formal and somewhat archaic term for dying, lending a solemn tone.

rejected

Emphasizes a strong refusal or disapproval, making it more forceful than simply passing on something.

opted out

Indicates a conscious decision to withdraw from something, often a system or agreement.

chose not to pursue

Highlights a deliberate decision to not continue with something, emphasizing agency.

FAQs

What does "passed on" mean?

The phrase "passed on" has several meanings, including to transfer something, to decline an offer, or to euphemistically mean someone has died. The specific meaning depends on the context in which it is used.

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

You can use "passed on" in sentences like, "She "passed on" her knowledge to her students" (transfer), "He "passed on" the opportunity" (declined), or "Her grandmother "passed on" peacefully" (died).

What are some euphemisms for "passed on" when referring to death?

Some euphemisms for "passed on" include "passed away", "deceased", "departed", or "no longer with us".

Is it better to say "passed away" or "passed on"?

Both "passed away" and ""passed on"" are euphemisms for death and are generally interchangeable. The choice often depends on personal preference or the specific tone you want to convey.