to relay a message

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to relay a message" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of passing on information or communication from one person to another. Example: "Please relay a message to the team that the meeting has been rescheduled."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

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

The New York Times

He asked a reporter to relay a message to Henderson.

The New York Times - Sports

He also asked his attorney to relay a message that the protests should remain peaceful.

The Guardian

That is, you're trying to relay a message that is positive to your side.

The Guardian - Opinion

"But at no point did this official - or any official - ask to relay a message to Mr Snowden," she said.

The Guardian

"Murphy says you're in," Rather said, and asked Solmsen to relay a message to the correspondent Byron Pitts.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

But the new devices allow users to privately relay a message through another goTenna user to the one they're trying to reach if that intended recipient is out of range.

TechCrunch

She has seemingly come over to relay a phone message to Jack.

The New York Times - Magazine

He explained that Ms. O'Connor needed him to relay a personal message to the fans before the concert started.

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Chen also said that he had entrusted Mr. Soong, with whom he has a political alliance despite widely differing views about cross-strait relations, to relay a "secret message" to Beijing leaders during his trip later this week.

The New York Times

The idea was really to relay a personal message.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to relay a message" when you want to emphasize the act of passing information from one party to another, especially when you are acting as an intermediary. It suggests a responsibility to accurately and faithfully transmit the information.

Common error

Avoid using "to relay a message" when you are speaking directly to the intended recipient. Opt for more direct phrases like "to tell" or "to inform" for clarity and conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to relay a message" functions as an infinitive phrase, often used as a verb complement or to express purpose. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is valid and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

21%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to relay a message" is a grammatically correct and commonly used infinitive phrase that describes the act of passing information from one person or entity to another, often through an intermediary. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's prevalent in news and media, science, and wiki contexts. Related phrases include "to communicate a message" and "to convey a message". When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects the role of intermediary communication and avoid overuse in direct communication. The phrase is neither excessively formal nor informal, but its frequent use in news and media suggests a generally professional or neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to communicate a message

This alternative emphasizes the act of conveying information effectively.

to convey a message

This option highlights the transmission aspect of delivering a message.

to transmit a message

This focuses on the technical aspect of sending information.

to pass on a message

This suggests a more informal way of delivering a message.

to deliver a message

This focuses on the action of bringing the message to its intended recipient.

to forward a message

Implies sending a message that was already received.

to send word

This is a more concise, idiomatic way to say "to relay a message".

to get the message across

This focuses on the effectiveness of the message being understood.

to channel a message

Suggests acting as an intermediary for a message.

to broadcast a message

Emphasizes wide dissemination of a message to many recipients.

FAQs

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

You can use "to relay a message" when you want to emphasize the act of passing information from one person to another. For example: "He asked me "to relay a message" to his sister."

What are some alternatives to "to relay a message"?

Some alternatives include "to communicate a message", "to convey a message", or "to pass on a message", depending on the context.

What's the difference between "to relay a message" and "to send a message"?

"To send a message" implies direct transmission, while "to relay a message" suggests an intermediary is involved. You send a message directly, but you relay it through someone.

Is "to relay a message" formal or informal?

"To relay a message" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for both professional and casual communication, though alternatives like "to pass on a message" might be more appropriate in very informal settings.