to pass on a message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to pass on a message" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you want to tell someone to deliver information to someone else. For example: "Please pass on the message that the meeting has been rescheduled to Thursday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

We have to ask one captain to pass on a message to another captain.

Los Angeles Times

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

Maybe tens of thousands of Saudis really do want to pass on a #message of love for Mohammed bin Salman.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 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

In an interview, Lucas said that after he was released on bond, he gave prosecutors his notes and several of Needle's documents because Needle had asked him to pass on a written message that Needle was willing to testify against Sheinbein.

The Washington Post

A21 Lawyer Asked to Pass Message A lawyer for Matthew Hale, the white supremacist convicted last year of plotting to kill a federal judge whose husband and mother were slain last week, said Mr. Hale's mother called him a few months ago and asked him to pass on an encoded message to one of Mr. Hale's supporters.

The New York Times

You should consider ways to re-phrase the message without being deceptive such as simply offering to take a message to pass on instead.

WikiHow

Speaking at the annual conference for the Higher Education Funding Council, Willetts added: "With today's sensitivities about data protection, it's hard for ministers to drop a line directly to Joe or Gemma … but perhaps we can write to the head teachers with a message to pass on".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to pass on a message", ensure the context clearly indicates who is delivering the message, who is receiving it, and what the message contains for maximum clarity.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that obscures who is responsible for passing on the message. Instead of "The message needs to be passed on", specify who should deliver it: "Please pass on this message to the team."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to pass on a message" functions as an infinitive phrase that often acts as a verb complement. It indicates the action of relaying information from one party to another, as demonstrated in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

17%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to pass on a message" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of relaying information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it follows standard grammatical rules and is widely accepted. It’s most frequently found in news and media contexts and serves the communicative purpose of instructing someone to convey information. To ensure clarity, avoid passive voice constructions and clearly identify who is delivering the message. Related alternatives include "to convey a message" and "to relay a message". By understanding its nuances and practical applications, you can effectively incorporate this phrase into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to convey a message

Focuses on delivering the message, changing the verb from 'pass on' to 'convey'.

to relay a message

Emphasizes the act of transmitting or forwarding the message.

to communicate a message

Highlights the act of making the message known or understood.

to deliver a message

Focuses on the final act of getting the message to the intended recipient.

to transmit a message

Implies a more formal or technical way of sending a message.

to forward a message

Specifically indicates sending a message that was already received.

to send word

A more concise, idiomatic way of saying to send a message.

to get the message across

Focuses on ensuring the message is understood.

to give someone a message

A more direct way of saying to hand over information.

to let someone know

A general way of saying to inform someone of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "to pass on a message" when you want someone to deliver information. For example: "Could you please "pass on a message" to John that the meeting is delayed?"

What can I say instead of "to pass on a message"?

Alternatives to "to pass on a message" include "to relay a message", "to convey a message", or "to deliver a message", depending on the specific context.

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

"To pass on a message" suggests an intermediary role, while "to deliver a message" implies the final act of getting the message to its destination. The difference is subtle, but consider the chain of transmission.

Is it always necessary to specify who should "pass on a message"?

While not always grammatically required, specifying who should "pass on a message" enhances clarity. For example, "I need you "to pass on a message"" is clearer than "A message needs to be passed on".