bring along

bring someone or something with you when you come

B1

What does "bring sb/sth along" mean?

"Bring along" means to take a person or thing with you when you go somewhere, treating them as an extra addition to your plans. It's especially common in invitations and social situations, where it gives the message a warm, casual feel — as if you're welcoming the extra company or item without making a big deal of it. The word "along" is what creates this friendly, relaxed tone; without it, "bring" is still correct but sounds slightly more neutral. You'll often hear it in phrases like "feel free to bring along a friend" or "did you bring your camera along?" — everyday situations where someone joins an activity or an item comes with you to a place.

Examples

How to use it

bring along + object

The most common pattern, used in invitations and instructions where the object comes after "along".

You're welcome to bring along a guest to the event.

bring + object + along

The separated form is also very natural, especially with short noun phrases like friends, items, or the kids.

She brought her notebook along to the meeting.

bring + pronoun + along

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between "bring" and "along" — it cannot come after "along".

I saw you had your bike — you should have brought it along!

modal + bring along + object

Modal verbs like "can", "could", and "should" are very common with this phrasal verb, especially in relaxed invitations.

You can bring along anyone you like — the venue is big enough.

feel free to bring along + object

This fixed chunk is a very natural and friendly way to give permission to bring something or someone.

Feel free to bring along a blanket — it might get cold later.

Common Collocations

bring a friend alongbring the kids alongbring your ID alongbring a guest alongbring a change of clothes alongbring your partner along

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When the object is a pronoun like "it", "her", or "them", it must go between "bring" and "along". Placing it after "along" is not correct in English.

✗ I forgot to bring along it.
✓ I forgot to bring it along.
Confusing "bring along" and "take along"

Use "bring along" when you're thinking from the destination (e.g. asking someone to arrive with something), and "take along" when you're thinking from the starting point (e.g. packing something before you leave).

✗ Can you take your ID along to the party tonight? (said to a guest being invited)
✓ Can you bring your ID along to the party tonight?
Separating with long noun phrases

When the object is a long phrase, it's more natural to keep "bring along" together and place the object after. Splitting a long phrase can sound awkward.

✗ Bring your favourite board game and some extra snacks along.
✓ Bring along your favourite board game and some extra snacks.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both spoken and written English, but it is especially common in informal invitations and social situations. It is interchangeable with plain 'bring' in most cases, but the 'along' makes the invitation sound warmer and more casual.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is "bring along" the same as just saying "bring"?

In most situations, yes — they mean the same thing. But "bring along" sounds warmer and more casual, which is why it's so popular in invitations. Saying "bring along a friend" feels more welcoming than just "bring a friend".

Can "bring along" be used in the passive?

It's possible, but not very common. It works better when talking about things rather than people — for example, "A few snacks were brought along for the trip" sounds natural. Passive sentences with people as the subject tend to sound a bit unnatural with this phrasal verb.

Can I use "bring along" in the present continuous, like "I'm bringing her along"?

It's not wrong, but it's less common. It works if you're already on your way somewhere — for example, "I'm bringing her along now, we'll be there in ten minutes." In most cases, though, "I'll bring her along" or "I can bring her along" sounds more natural.

What kinds of things can I "bring along"?

You can bring along people (a friend, your partner, a colleague) or things (your ID, a camera, some food, a change of clothes). It's most commonly used in social situations, trips, meetings, and events — basically any time someone or something joins you somewhere.

Does "bring along" have other meanings?

There is another, less common use of "bring along" that means to help someone develop or improve — for example, a coach bringing along a young player. However, this sense is much less common, and the meaning covered here (accompanying someone to a place) is by far the most frequently used one.

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