Cool MatePass vs Relay vs Transmit
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Pass
Relay
Transmit
| Pass | Relay | Transmit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/pɑːs/","/ˈpɑːsɪz/","/pɑːst/","/ˈpɑːsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/pæs/","/ˈpæsɪz/","/pæst/","/ˈpæsɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //rɪˈleɪ//🇺🇸 //rɪˈleɪ// | 🇬🇧 //trænˈsmɪt//🇺🇸 //trænˈsmɪt// |
| Meaning | To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen. | A race where teams take turns running, or passing something. | To send something from one place to another. |
| Example | I will pass the ball to you during the game. | The relay team won the competition. | The satellite will transmit data back to Earth. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb | |
| Collocations | quickly, rapidly, soon, help (to), quickly, rapidly, soon, help (to), unanimously, overwhelmingly, narrowly, by… to…, peacefully, come to, let something, between, pass unnoticed | relay race, relay information, relay team, relay baton, relay station | transmit signals, transmit data, transmit information, transmit a message, transmit power |
| Antonyms | stop, hold, block | - | receive, detain |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'pass' with 'past' in writing., Using 'pass' without an object when it requires one., Mixing up the different meanings of 'pass' in verbal contexts. | Confused with 'release' which has a different meaning., Using 'relay' as a noun and forgetting it's also a verb. | Confused with 'transmit' vs 'emit'., Using 'transmit' without an object., Mispronouncing the word. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in both casual and formal contexts. Can refer to physical movement or to allowing someone to take a turn (e.g., in games). Not typically used in very formal writing when describing decisions. | Common in sports contexts; can also refer to passing information. Suitable for all audiences. | Commonly used in technical contexts, such as electronics, communication, and medicine. Avoid in casual conversation. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Pass vs Relay vs Transmit
What's the difference between Pass, Relay, and Transmit?
Pass: To move past something or someone, or to allow something to happen. Relay: A race where teams take turns running, or passing something. Transmit: To send something from one place to another.
Which is more common: Pass, Relay, and Transmit?
Pass is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Pass, Relay, and Transmit?
Transmit is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Pass: I will pass the ball to you during the game. Relay: The relay team won the competition. Transmit: The satellite will transmit data back to Earth.
Can I use Pass, Relay, and Transmit interchangeably?
Not always. Pass, Relay, and Transmit 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.