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Hans51 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
We'd like to pass on the lessons to the next generation.
I have learned that try on something and try something on mean the same and then pass on something and pass something on mean the same?
For example,
1) We'd like to pass on the lessons to the next generation. VS. We'd like to pass the lessons on to the next generation.
2) I am on a diet, so I should pass on the cake. VS. I am on a diet, so I should pass the cake on.
I feel like in #1, they are the same either way but in #2, they are different and in the situation, pass on the cake, meaning skipping the cake, is correct, right?
What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much in advance.
For example,
1) We'd like to pass on the lessons to the next generation. VS. We'd like to pass the lessons on to the next generation.
2) I am on a diet, so I should pass on the cake. VS. I am on a diet, so I should pass the cake on.
I feel like in #1, they are the same either way but in #2, they are different and in the situation, pass on the cake, meaning skipping the cake, is correct, right?
What do you native English speakers think? Thank you so much in advance.
Top answer
Hans51 I feel like in #1, they are the same either way but in #2, they are different and in the situation, pass on the cake, meaning skipping the cake, is correct, right? Right, #2a could mean either. Many phrasal verbs carry more than one meaning.
- Hans51 I feel like in #1, they are the same either way but in #2, they are different and in the situation, pass on the cake, meaning skipping the cake, is correct, right?
- Right, #2a could mean either.
- Many phrasal verbs carry more than one meaning.
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3 Answers
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Hans51I feel like in #1, they are the same either way but in #2, they are different and in the situation, pass on the cake, meaning skipping the cake, is correct, right?Right, #2a could mean either. Many phrasal verbs carry more than one meaning.
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Thank you so much and then can we not say, "pass the lessons" for the same meaning as pass on the lessons?
Pass me the salt.
Pass the salt to me.
Pass on the salt to me.
Pass the salt on to me.
All of them have the same meaning? Or is there a case where pass and pass on are interchangeable? Thank you so much!
Pass me the salt.
Pass the salt to me.
Pass on the salt to me.
Pass the salt on to me.
All of them have the same meaning? Or is there a case where pass and pass on are interchangeable? Thank you so much!
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Hans51All of them have the same meaning?The second two suggest that the listener will receive the salt from a 3rd party; the first two do not.
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