Pass on meaning in English
Learn how to use Pass on correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
to pass on (a message): to communicate, to transmit, to give somebody (a message)
Can you pass this message on for me? Tell John I'll meet him at 9, not 10 tonight.
I'll pass on dinner: I can't have dinner with you this time
Examples
- "Icarus : Don't worry I'll pass on the message..."
- "My boss, Bruno Delavigne, passed on your number."
- "Jones is expected in court this morning to hear charges against him. He vehemently denies claims that he passed on top secret information to perfume rivals Kalvin Krime and Grevlon."
- "Jones is expected in court this morning to hear charges against him and he denies claims that he passed on top secret information to perfume rivals Kalvin Krime and Grevlon."
- "Brian : Yeah, I'll pass on your message... or put it next to him, with some flowers."
Exercise 1
Answer the phone! Complete the common telephone phrases using terms from the dialogue.
Use the rude phrases on the left to help you find the polite phrases on the right!
Use the rude phrases on the left to help you find the polite phrases on the right!
| Rude | Polite |
| Yep? | Good morning, this is MegaCorp, Fred Farmer . (1 word) |
| Who the hell are you? | May I ask who is please? (1 word) |
| Wait a minute mate, I'll check. | Please the line, I'll see if he's available (1 word) |
| Liam's is at the pub right now. | I'm sorry, Liam is in a meeting at the (1 word) |
| What's your message, loser? | Can I a message? (1 word) |
| I'll give him the message. Now get lost! | I'll the message. Can I help you with anything else? (1 phrasal verb) |
Answer the phone! Complete the common telephone phrases using terms from the dialogue.
Use the rude phrases on the left to help you find the polite phrases on the right!
Use the rude phrases on the left to help you find the polite phrases on the right!
| Rude | Polite |
| Yep? | Good morning, this is MegaCorp, Fred Farmer [not done] speaking 1. (1 word) |
| Who the hell are you? | May I ask who is [not done] calling 2 please? (1 word) |
| Wait a minute mate, I'll check. | Please [not done] hold 3 the line, I'll see if he's available (1 word) |
| Liam's is at the pub right now. | I'm sorry, Liam is in a meeting at the [not done] moment 4 (1 word) |
| What's your message, loser? | Can I [not done] take 5 a message? (1 word) |
| I'll give him the message. Now get lost! | I'll [not done] pass on 6 the message. Can I help you with anything else? (1 phrasal verb) |
1 speaking: "Speaking" is the right answer here. We often say "(Bruno Delavigne) speaking" when we answer the phone, in order to introduce ourselves to the caller. This is a polite construction that's very useful in a business context!
2 calling: The verb "to call" is a very common synonym of "to phone". Example: "I'm busy right now. Can you CALL me again in half an hour?". In the conversation, Brian asks, "Who's calling please?".
3 hold: "Hold the line" is a common request to a caller to wait, either for the call to be transferred or for the party to come to the phone.
4 moment: "At the moment" means "now" or "currently", and it is the best choice here to express a temporary absence. It is a polite construction. Example: "I'm away on business at the moment but you can contact my assistant"
5 take: "Can I take a message" is the best and most common way to suggest that the caller leave a message for you to pass on when the person they want to speak to becomes available. We can also say "Would you like to leave a message?".
6 pass on: "To pass on (a message)" is to communicate, to transmit, or to give somebody (a message). At the end of the dialogue, Brian says to Mr. Floss, "I'll pass on your message".
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