bring over
Transport to a location
Literally: to carry (something) to a position across or near
In 15 Seconds
- Moving an object or person to someone else's current location.
- Commonly used for social visits, sharing food, or returning borrowed items.
- A friendly, casual way to suggest a physical meeting or delivery.
Meaning
When you take something or someone from your place to another person's location, usually because you were invited or want to share something.
Key Examples
3 of 6Planning a movie night
I'll bring over some popcorn and drinks tonight.
I will bring some popcorn and drinks to your place tonight.
At the office
Could you bring over that file when you have a second?
Could you bring that file to my desk when you have a moment?
Texting a friend about a game
Don't forget to bring over your controller!
Don't forget to bring your controller to my house.
Cultural Background
The 'Potluck' culture is huge. If someone says 'Bring over a side dish,' they expect you to bring enough to share with 10-15 people. British people often use 'bring round' instead of 'bring over.' It sounds slightly more informal and cozy. At a 'BYO' (Bring Your Own) party, it is standard to bring over your own alcohol and sometimes meat for the 'barbie' (BBQ). When visiting someone's home for the first time, 'bringing over' a small gift like flowers or chocolate is a sign of good manners.
The 'It' Rule
Always remember: 'Bring it over,' never 'Bring over it.' This is the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Bring vs Take
Only use 'bring over' if you are moving toward the person you are speaking to. If you are both going somewhere else, use 'take over.'
In 15 Seconds
- Moving an object or person to someone else's current location.
- Commonly used for social visits, sharing food, or returning borrowed items.
- A friendly, casual way to suggest a physical meeting or delivery.
What It Means
Bring over is all about movement toward someone else. Imagine you are at home. Your friend is at their house. You have a delicious pizza. You take that pizza to your friend's house. You just brought over dinner! It implies a sense of hospitality and sharing. It is more personal than just 'delivering' something. It feels like a friendly gesture between people who know each other.
How To Use It
This phrase is a 'separable' phrasal verb. This means you can put the object in the middle or at the end. You can say, "I will bring over the books" or "I will bring the books over." Both are perfect. If you use a pronoun like 'it' or 'them', it MUST go in the middle. "I'll bring it over" is correct. "I'll bring over it" sounds very strange to a native speaker. Use it when you are moving toward the person you are talking to.
When To Use It
Use this when you are planning a visit. It is great for social gatherings. Use it at work when you need to show a colleague a physical document at their desk. It is perfect for texting a neighbor about a borrowed tool. Use it when you want to introduce a new person to your family. "Can I bring over my new boyfriend?" is a classic nervous question. It works for anything portable: food, games, files, or even your dog.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it if the object is staying at your house. If your friend is coming to you, they are bringing it over, not you. Also, avoid it for abstract ideas. You don't bring over a feeling or a thought. Use it for physical things or people. If you are sending something by mail, don't use bring over. That is 'sending'. Bring over implies you (or someone) are physically traveling with the item.
Cultural Background
In many English-speaking cultures, there is a strong 'potluck' tradition. This means when you go to a party, you are expected to bring over a dish to share. It shows you are part of the community. It is also a common way to welcome new neighbors. You might bring over a plate of cookies to say hello. It is a phrase rooted in the idea of being a good guest and a helpful friend.
Common Variations
Sometimes people just say bring it. But bring it over adds that specific sense of 'to my location'. You might also hear bring along. This is slightly different; it means the item is just coming with you, not necessarily for the other person. Take over is the opposite perspective. If you are talking to a third person, you say "I'm going to take over some cake to Sarah's house."
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral but leans toward informal social settings. Remember that 'over' implies a change in location (from my house to yours).
The 'It' Rule
Always remember: 'Bring it over,' never 'Bring over it.' This is the most common mistake for intermediate learners.
Bring vs Take
Only use 'bring over' if you are moving toward the person you are speaking to. If you are both going somewhere else, use 'take over.'
Sound more British
If you are in the UK, use 'bring round' to sound like a local.
The Empty-Handed Rule
In many English-speaking countries, 'bringing something over' is the best way to ensure you get invited back!
Examples
6I'll bring over some popcorn and drinks tonight.
I will bring some popcorn and drinks to your place tonight.
Using 'over' implies moving from the speaker's house to the listener's house.
Could you bring over that file when you have a second?
Could you bring that file to my desk when you have a moment?
A polite way to ask a colleague to walk a document to your desk.
Don't forget to bring over your controller!
Don't forget to bring your controller to my house.
Very common in casual texting between friends.
I tried to bring over the cake, but I tripped and it's now on the sidewalk.
I tried to bring the cake over, but I fell.
The 'over' emphasizes the journey between the two houses.
I really want to bring over my partner to meet you guys finally.
I really want to bring my partner to your house to meet you.
Used for people to indicate an introduction at the listener's home.
I'll bring over your lawnmower tomorrow morning.
I will return your lawnmower to your house tomorrow morning.
Standard way to talk about returning items to a neighbor.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct form of 'bring over' and the pronoun 'it'.
I have your umbrella. I will _______ _______ tomorrow.
The pronoun 'it' must go between 'bring' and 'over'.
Choose the most natural sentence for a social invitation.
You are going to a friend's house for dinner. What do you say?
'Bring over' is the most natural phrasal verb for taking something to a friend's home.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Can I bring my brother to your party?' B: 'Sure, _______!'
When referring to a person (him), the pronoun goes in the middle.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Match 'bring over' with the correct context.
'Bring over' specifically implies taking something to someone else's location.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Bring Over vs. Take Over
Practice Bank
4 exercisesI have your umbrella. I will _______ _______ tomorrow.
The pronoun 'it' must go between 'bring' and 'over'.
You are going to a friend's house for dinner. What do you say?
'Bring over' is the most natural phrasal verb for taking something to a friend's home.
A: 'Can I bring my brother to your party?' B: 'Sure, _______!'
When referring to a person (him), the pronoun goes in the middle.
Match 'bring over' with the correct context.
'Bring over' specifically implies taking something to someone else's location.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsUsually, we say 'send' or 'email.' However, if you are physically taking your laptop to someone to show them a file, you can say 'I'll bring over the file on my laptop.'
It's fine for internal emails with colleagues. For a formal letter to a client, use 'deliver' or 'provide.'
'Bring over' implies staying for a while. 'Bring by' implies a quick drop-off at the door.
Yes! It's very common. 'Can I bring over my cousin?' is perfectly natural.
It is always 'brought over.' 'Brang' is not a standard English word.
It's rare, but you could say 'The cake was brought over by Sarah.'
Usually, but it can mean any location where the listener is, like an office or a park bench.
It's redundant but common in casual speech. 'Bring it over' already implies 'here.'
Then you would just say 'Thanks for bringing that over' (past tense) or 'Can you bring that over here?' (to a different room).
No, it's used everywhere, but 'bring round' is a popular alternative in the UK and Australia.
Related Phrases
bring along
similarTo bring something/someone with you as an addition.
bring by
similarTo drop something off quickly.
bring round
synonymBritish version of bring over.
take over
contrastTo move something away from the speaker.
bring up
contrastTo mention a topic.
