What Does “Fax sth on” Mean?
“Fax sth on” means to send a document or information to someone using a fax machine or fax service. The phrase emphasizes forwarding or passing on something by fax.
Introduction
The phrasal verb “fax sth on” is commonly used in business and office environments where documents need to be sent quickly. “Fax sth on” meaning involves forwarding or transmitting papers or information via fax to another person or department. Although digital communication has reduced fax usage, it’s still relevant in many professional settings. Understanding how to use “fax sth on” can help you communicate clearly when discussing document transfer. This guide explains the meaning, grammar, examples, and common mistakes with “fax sth on.”
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: fax something on
- Type: transitive
- Level: B1
- Meaning: to send a document or information to someone by fax
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Fax sth on” is a separable phrasal verb. You can place the object (something) between “fax” and “on” or after the whole phrasal verb.
- fax something on
- fax on something
Examples:
- I will fax the report on to the manager.
- Can you fax on the signed contract?
How to Use “Fax sth on”?
Use “fax sth on” when you want to express sending or forwarding documents by fax. It often refers to passing information from one person or department to another. The phrase is useful when the document is already received and you need to send it further.
It is commonly used in formal or business contexts, such as office communication or customer service.
Examples
Imagine you work in an office and need to send a signed form to another department. You might say:
- I will fax the signed form on to the legal team.
- She faxed the invoice on to the accounting department yesterday.
- Could you please fax on the updated contract as soon as possible?
- They faxed the documents on, so we should receive them soon.
- He forgot to fax the application on, so the process was delayed.
These examples show how “fax sth on” is used in everyday office communication.
Common Mistakes
Sometimes learners confuse the word order or omit parts of the phrase. Here are common errors and corrections:
- Incorrect: I faxed on the report to you.
Correct: I faxed the report on to you. - Incorrect: Can you fax the on document?
Correct: Can you fax the document on? - Incorrect: She faxed the report.
Correct: She faxed the report on to the client.
Remember, “fax sth on” usually requires an object and often a recipient or destination after “on.”
Differences / Synonyms
“Fax sth on” is similar to “send on” or “forward.” However, “fax sth on” specifically refers to sending by fax, while “send on” or “forward” can refer to any method of transmission, such as email or mail.
For example, “forward the email” means to send it electronically, but “fax sth on” always means sending a paper or digital copy via fax.
Common Collocations
When using “fax sth on,” certain documents or items are commonly mentioned. These include:
- Report: a detailed document about work or research
- Invoice: a bill for goods or services
- Contract: a formal agreement
- Application: a form submitted for a job or service
- Form: a document with fields to fill out
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of fax sth on:
Real-life Dialogue
Here is a short conversation using “fax sth on”:
Anna: Have you received the signed contract?
Mark: Yes, I have it here.
Anna: Great. Can you fax it on to the legal department?
Mark: Sure, I’ll fax it on right now.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “fax sth on”:
- Could you _______ the updated report _______ to the client?
- She _______ the invoice _______ yesterday.
- We need to _______ the application _______ before noon.
- He forgot to _______ the documents _______ and caused a delay.
FAQs
- Q: Is “fax sth on” formal or informal?
A: It is more common in formal or business English.
- Q: Can I use “fax on” without an object?
A: Usually, “fax sth on” requires an object to specify what is being faxed.
- Q: Can “fax sth on” be used in past tense?
A: Yes, for example, “I faxed the report on yesterday.”
- Q: What is the difference between “fax” and “fax sth on”?
“Fax” means to send by fax, while “fax sth on” means to forward or send something further by fax.
- Q: Is faxing still used today?
Yes, faxing is still used in many industries, especially where signed documents must be sent quickly.
