Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner12]

Dear teachers!!

This necklace has been passed down from generation to generation.
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May I say "This necklace has been passed on from generation to generation."?

My question is: Is "pass down" completely interchangeable with "pass on"?

Do you find any differences between them?

Thank you in advance.

[bud]

They are interchangeable for this sentence, but not in general.

The only meaning for "pass down" that I can bring to mind is the one in your sentence.

However, I can think of a couple of other meanings for "pass on:"

To die - My father passed on 14 years ago.
To decline - Mary was offered a great job, but she passed on it because she doesn't want to move to California.

[learner12]

Dear bud:

Thank you so much for your in-depth explanations.

Have a nice day!!