What are the definitions of “pass around”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1Give out to everybody there.
The teacher PASSED the handout.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “pass around”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb pass around is to distribute or share something with a group of people. It means giving something to one person, who then gives it to the next person, and so on, until everyone has received it.
What are the different verb forms of “pass around”?
| Root Verb | pass around |
| Third Person Singular Present | passes around |
| Present Participle | passing around |
| Simple Past | passed around |
| Past Participle | passed around |
Example
Please pass around the snacks during the party.
Example
She passes around the attendance sheet in class.
Example
He is passing around the flyers to the audience.
Example
Yesterday, they passed around the donation box at the event.
Example
The handouts were passed around to all the students.
What kind of phrasal verb is “pass around”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“pass around” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
She passed around the handouts to the students.
Example
He passed the snacks around during the party.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“pass around” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
She passed around the handouts to the students.
Example
He passed the snacks around during the party.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “pass around”?
Good things to know
Does “pass around” have an informal or formal tone?
Pass around is a neutral phrasal verb that can be used in both informal and formal settings. It is commonly used in everyday conversations, as well as in more formal contexts, such as meetings or presentations.
