pass around

give something to each person in a group

B1

What does "pass sth around/round" mean?

To pass something around means to give it to one person in a group, who then gives it to the next, and so on, until everyone has had it. The idea is that the item travels through the whole group rather than one person handing it to each individual separately. You might pass around a plate of food at dinner, a form at a meeting, or photos among friends. This phrasal verb is very common in everyday situations like classrooms, workplaces, and social gatherings. In British English, 'pass round' means exactly the same thing and is used just as often.

Examples

How to use it

pass + object + around

The most common pattern with short noun objects, where the object is placed between the verb and the particle.

She passed the handouts around so everyone could follow along.

pass + pronoun + around

When the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle — placing it after 'around' is not correct.

There's a sign-up sheet — can you pass it around?

pass around + longer noun phrase

When the object is a long noun phrase, keeping it after 'around' sounds more natural and less awkward.

The host passed around a large bowl of freshly made guacamole.

object + be passed around

The passive is natural and common when the focus is on the item being shared rather than the person doing the sharing.

A basket of bread rolls was passed around before the main course arrived.

imperative: pass + object + around

The imperative is very common with this verb, often used as a polite instruction to start the sharing process.

Please pass these forms around and make sure everyone fills one in.

Common Collocations

pass around a photopass around a formpass around a basketpass around snackspass around a leafletpass around copies

Common Mistakes

Pronoun placement

When you use a pronoun as the object, it must go between 'pass' and 'around'. Putting it after 'around' is ungrammatical.

✗ Can you pass around it?
✓ Can you pass it around?
Confusing 'pass around' with 'hand out'

'Hand out' usually means one person gives something directly to each individual. 'Pass around' suggests the item moves from person to person through the group, so the meaning is slightly different.

✗ The teacher handed out the worksheet from student to student.
✓ The teacher passed the worksheet around from student to student.

Usage

In British English, 'pass round' is equally common and natural. Both 'pass around' and 'pass round' are neutral in register and suitable for everyday conversation, classroom, and workplace situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kinds of things can you 'pass around'?

Usually physical items that people in a group each need to see, take, or use — like photos, forms, snacks, drinks, leaflets, or a basket. You can also pass around less tangible things like a petition or a sign-up sheet. The key idea is that the item moves from person to person through the group.

Is 'pass around' or 'pass round' correct?

'Pass around' is the standard American English form, while 'pass round' is the common British English equivalent. Both are correct and mean exactly the same thing. The grammar rules are identical for both versions.

Can 'pass around' be used in the passive?

Yes, the passive is very natural with this phrasal verb. It works well when you want to focus on the item being shared rather than who shared it. For example: 'A collection tin was passed around at the end of the event.'

Does 'pass around' always refer to physical objects?

Usually, yes — it most naturally refers to physical items moving through a group. However, it can sometimes be used for non-physical things like information or samples in a more figurative way, though this is less common at everyday level.

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