pass on vs tell

pass on and tell both are verbs.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
pass on	No	No	Yes	No
tell	No	No	Yes	No

As verbs, tell is a hypernym of pass on; that is, tell is a word with a broader meaning than pass on:

pass on (verb)	tell (verb)
transmit information	discern or comprehend
cause to be distributed	mark as different
move forward, also in the metaphorical sense	let something be known
give to or transfer possession of	narrate or give a detailed account of
place into the hands or custody of	give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
transmit (knowledge or skills)	give evidence
refer to another person for decision or judgment	express in words
	inform positively and with certainty and confidence