to relay

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to relay" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of passing on information or messages from one person or place to another. Example: "I need you to relay the message to the team about the meeting time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I remember just wanting to relay that".

The Guardian - Music

The intermediary was apparently able to relay messages from Padnos.

The New Yorker

Kakail Nuristani began to relay his father's story to me.

The New York Times

Alekseev promised to relay Mr. Castro's complaints to the Kremlin.

The New York Times

Mr García Márquez was able to relay that world.

The Economist

Holder then called Obama to relay his decision.

The New Yorker

Rather, he called them himself to relay the details.

The New York Times

He called Mr. Paulson to relay the bad news.

The New York Times

"I wanted to relay a message, to explain the tragedy".

The New York Times

Incidents like that inspired Brown to relay his experiences.

The New York Times - Sports

"They asked me to relay that to him.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to relay" when you want to emphasize the act of passing information from one point to another, often acting as an intermediary. This is particularly useful in technical or formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "to relay" in everyday conversations where simpler alternatives like "to tell" or "to pass on" would suffice. Overusing "to relay" can make your speech sound unnecessarily formal or stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to relay" functions as an infinitive verb indicating the action of passing information or messages from one point to another. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, typically involving the transfer of information through an intermediary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to relay" is a versatile and frequently used expression for describing the act of passing on information, with Ludwig showing it primarily appearing in News & Media. While grammatically sound, it is more suited to neutral, technical or professional environments, where simpler alternatives may be better suited for casual contexts. When precision matters and a specific channel or person are involved in transferring a message, "to relay" is the ideal choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to convey

Focuses on effectively communicating a message or feeling.

to communicate

Focuses more broadly on the act of sharing information, not necessarily acting as an intermediary.

to transmit

Implies a more technical or formal method of sending information, often electronically.

to pass on

Suggests a more casual or informal way of transferring information or items.

to forward

Specifically refers to sending something that one has already received.

to communicate onwards

Emphasizes the act of continuing the communication process to subsequent recipients.

to impart

Suggests sharing knowledge or wisdom.

to disseminate

Implies spreading information widely, often with an official or formal purpose.

to send

A general term for causing something to be transported or transmitted to another place or person.

to circulate

Suggests distributing information widely among a group.

FAQs

How can I use "to relay" in a sentence?

You can use "to relay" when you want to express the action of passing on information from one person or place to another. For example, "The secretary was asked to relay the message to the CEO."

What are some alternatives to "to relay"?

Alternatives to "to relay" include "to communicate", "to pass on", or "to convey", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "to relay" in informal conversations?

While grammatically correct, "to relay" might sound overly formal in casual settings. Simpler options like "to tell" or "to pass along" are often more suitable for informal communication.

What is the difference between "to relay" and "to transmit"?

"To relay" typically implies passing on information received from someone else, whereas "to transmit" often refers to sending information directly, especially in a technical context.