Cool MateGive it to him vs Let it pass to him
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Give it to him
Top 2,000 (common)
Let it pass to him
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
Most common: Give it to him
| Give it to him | Let it pass to him | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɡɪv ɪt tə hɪm//🇺🇸 //ɡɪv ɪt tə hɪm// | 🇬🇧 //lɛt ɪt pɑːs tə hɪm//🇺🇸 //lɛt ɪt pæs tə hɪm// |
| Meaning | To pass something to a male person. | Allow someone to have something. |
| Example | Can you give it to him before he leaves? | Please let it pass to him during the game. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | give it to him directly, give it to him later, give it to him nicely | let it pass, pass it to him, let him have it, allow it to go to him |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'give him it' - the order is important., Omitting 'to' before recipient is incorrect., 'Give it to he' should be 'give it to him'. | Confused with 'let it go to him', Using 'let' without an object, Incorrectly phrasing it as 'allow it passing to him' |
| Usage notes | Used in everyday conversation for handing over items. Avoid in very formal settings. | Use in situations where you grant permission for someone else to receive or take something. It's neutral and appropriate in most formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Give it to him vs Let it pass to him
What's the difference between Give it to him and Let it pass to him?
Give it to him: To pass something to a male person. Let it pass to him: Allow someone to have something.
Which is more common: Give it to him and Let it pass to him?
Give it to him is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Give it to him: Can you give it to him before he leaves? Let it pass to him: Please let it pass to him during the game.
Can I use Give it to him and Let it pass to him interchangeably?
Not always. Give it to him and Let it pass to him are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.