pass on
2 meanings
give something to someone else after you got it
What does "pass on" mean in this sense?
Examples
- Could you pass on this message to your manager when you see her?
- I'll pass the good news on to the rest of the team this afternoon.
- The doctor explained that the condition can be passed on to children.
How to use it
The most common pattern, used when the object is a noun phrase. The recipient is introduced with 'to'.
Could you pass on this message to the team before the meeting?
When the object is a pronoun, it must go between 'pass' and 'on' — it cannot go after 'on'.
I got the invitation this morning — I'll pass it on to you right away.
With short noun phrases, separating the verb and particle sounds very natural.
She passed the news on before anyone else had a chance to check their emails.
The passive is common when the focus is on what was transferred or who received it, rather than who did the transferring.
The complaint was passed on to the manager, who dealt with it immediately.
The recipient can be left out when it is already clear from context who will receive the information or item.
If you hear anything useful, please pass on the information.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
When the object is a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it must go between 'pass' and 'on'. Putting it after 'on' is not correct in this sense.
'Pass down' is specifically used for things transferred across generations, such as traditions or family heirlooms. 'Pass on' is more general and can be used for any kind of transfer, including everyday messages or information.
When you mention who receives something, you need 'to' before that person. Leaving it out makes the sentence sound unnatural.
Usage
This phrasal verb is neutral and works in both formal and informal situations. In business contexts it often collocates with 'costs' or 'savings'; in everyday speech, it most commonly appears with 'message', 'news', or 'information'.
die (a polite way to say it)
Sense 2: What does "pass on" mean?
Examples
- Her grandmother passed on peacefully in her sleep last Tuesday.
- We were all devastated to hear that Mr. Harris had passed on after a long illness.
- Many elderly residents in the community have passed on in recent years, and they are deeply missed.
How to use it
This is the core pattern — the verb is intransitive and takes no object, but is commonly followed by an adverb or phrase describing how or when the person died.
Her grandfather passed on peacefully at home, surrounded by the people he loved.
Use "after" to explain the circumstances or illness that preceded the death.
The well-known poet passed on after a long illness at the age of seventy-eight.
Use "in" to describe the setting or manner, such as "in her sleep" or "in hospital".
We were told that he had passed on quietly in his sleep during the night.
The present perfect is common when announcing or reacting to a recent death.
I'm so sorry to hear that your aunt has passed on — she was a wonderful person.
This pattern is especially common in formal announcements and obituaries.
The retired professor passed on at the age of ninety-one, leaving behind a remarkable legacy.
Common Collocations
Common Mistakes
In this sense, "pass on" is intransitive — it never takes a direct object. If a noun follows "pass on", the meaning shifts entirely to transferring something, not dying.
Saying someone "is passing on" sounds very unnatural in this sense. Death is not described as an ongoing action — use the simple past or present perfect instead.
Both mean the same thing, but "pass away" is more widely used and more immediately understood. "Pass on" can carry a slightly spiritual tone and is a little less common, so if you are unsure which to use, "pass away" is the safer choice.
Usage
'Pass on' as a euphemism for dying is neutral in register and used in both spoken condolences and written announcements. It is slightly less common than 'pass away' and can carry a subtle spiritual connotation, suggesting a transition to an afterlife.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does 'pass on' always need an object?
In this sense, yes — there must always be something being transferred (the object). If you see 'pass on' with no object at all, it likely has a different meaning, such as a polite way of saying someone has died. With the transfer meaning, you can sometimes leave out the recipient if it's obvious from context, but the thing being passed on must always be present.
Can 'pass on' be used for non-physical things like knowledge or traditions?
Absolutely — in fact, this is one of the most common uses. You can pass on skills, wisdom, knowledge, cultural traditions, and values, not just physical objects or messages. For example: 'She spent her career passing on her expertise to younger doctors.'
What kinds of things can you 'pass on' in a business context?
In business, 'pass on' is very commonly used with costs, savings, and information. For example, a company might pass on rising costs to its customers, or a manager might pass on important updates to their team. It's a natural, professional way to talk about sharing or transferring things in a work setting.
How do I politely ask someone to pass on my greetings to another person?
A very common and polite expression is 'Please pass on my regards/greetings to [person].' For example: 'Please pass on my regards to your family.' This is a fixed, friendly phrase used when you want to send good wishes to someone you are not speaking to directly.
Is 'pass on' or 'pass along' more correct?
'Pass along' has a very similar meaning and is especially common in American English. 'Pass on' is standard in both British and American English, so it's the safer choice if you're not sure which variety your audience uses. In most situations, both are natural and interchangeable.
Does 'pass on' always mean to die? It seems to have other meanings.
No — "pass on" has several different meanings depending on how it is used. In this sense it means to die, and the key sign is that no object follows it. When "pass on" is followed by a noun (like "pass on a message" or "pass on dessert"), it means something completely different. Context and the absence of an object are what signal the death meaning.
Is 'pass on' more British or more American?
It is used in both British and American English, so there is no strong regional difference. However, "pass away" is more common in both varieties, so you will hear and read that form more often.
Can I use 'pass on' to talk about a pet dying?
Yes, it is occasionally used for beloved pets, especially when the speaker wants to express genuine sadness or treat the loss with the same respect as a person's death. It sounds natural and caring in that context.
Can I use 'pass on' to talk about someone dying in the future, like a prediction?
This is unusual and can sound awkward. The euphemism is almost always used in the past or present perfect to refer to a death that has already happened. Using it in the future tense ("she will pass on") is rare and may sound strange in ordinary conversation.
Does 'pass on' have a religious meaning?
It can carry a slightly spiritual connotation, suggesting the person's soul has moved on to an afterlife. This is one reason some speakers prefer it over more neutral alternatives. However, it is not exclusively religious — many people use it simply as a polite, gentle way to refer to death without any specific spiritual intention.
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