I would forego

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would forego" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a willingness to give up or do without something. Example: "In order to prioritize my health, I would forego dessert for the next month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I would forego ice cream so I wouldn't have to put that nasty turnip goo in my mouth.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

On weekends off I'd forego sleep and record 48 hours straight.

Vice

In other words, should a computer manufacturer fail to purchase virtually all its x86 CPU requirements from Intel, it would forego the possibility of obtaining a significant rebate on any of its very high volumes of Intel purchases.

Forbes

It's difficult to sat how much it costs to run the college, since Harvard faculty teach in different programs, but we can estimate pretty well how much income it would forego.

Huffington Post

So while secularists may disagree with his extremely public exhibitions of faith -- I wish he would forego such effusions -- there presently doesn't seem to be much to complain about and a good deal to laud.

Huffington Post

So I promised my friend an enormous sandwich at Fat Sal's if he would forego the full-immersion element of the show and lend me his iPhone (that was no longer compatible with his snap-on charger since his iOS 7 upgrade, which, I felt, further validated my decision to live in the past).

Huffington Post

Other families would fly out to vacations while we would forego vacations altogether.

The Guardian - Opinion

In an IEA universe we would forego mobility unless via privately funded toll roads.

The Guardian - Opinion

I know there was some concern amongst our allies when the Sept. 11, right after the Sept. 11 attack that we would forego any responsibility we have in the Middle East.

The New York Times

Mr Klein claims he met many teachers who were burned out and frustrated with their job, but felt they could not leave because of the benefit they would forego.

The Economist

For example, Ryanair has a promotion on flights to Greece over the next few weeks if you want to put together a cheap DIY trip - though be warned that you would forego the protection offered by proper package holidays.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I would forego", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being given up and the reason for doing so. This adds clarity and strengthens your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "I would forego" in casual conversation; it can sound overly formal. Opt for simpler alternatives like "I would give up" or "I'd skip" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would forego" functions as a modal verb construction indicating a willingness or intention to relinquish something. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound. For example, 'I would forego ice cream' indicates a readiness to abstain from it.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I would forego" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a conditional willingness to give something up. Ludwig confirms its validity and usage. While not overly common, it is suitable for formal or semi-formal contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science as the primary contexts. Simpler alternatives like "I would give up" may be preferred in informal settings. It's important to ensure clarity in your writing by specifying what you are foregoing and why.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I would give up

Direct synonym, focuses on relinquishing something.

I'd be prepared to forgo

Slightly more conditional phrasing.

I would relinquish

Formal synonym, emphasizing a voluntary surrender.

I am prepared to give up

Expresses a willingness to relinquish something.

I'd be ready to give up

Uses "give up" instead of "forego".

I would sacrifice

Highlights the cost or loss involved in giving something up.

I am willing to sacrifice

Highlights readiness to endure loss for a greater purpose.

I'd be ready to relinquish

Alternative word choice for "forgo".

I would waive

Suggests a formal or legal renunciation.

I would abandon

Implies a complete and permanent surrender.

FAQs

What does "I would forego" mean?

The phrase "I would forego" means "I am willing to give up" or "I am prepared to do without something". It suggests a deliberate choice to abstain from something, often for a specific reason.

When is it appropriate to use "I would forego"?

It's appropriate in formal or semi-formal contexts when you want to express a willingness to give something up. For informal settings, simpler alternatives like "I would give up" or "I'd skip" might be more suitable.

What can I say instead of "I would forego"?

You can use alternatives like "I would give up", "I would relinquish", or "I am prepared to give up" depending on the context.

Is "I would forego" interchangeable with "I will forego"?

"I would forego" expresses a conditional or hypothetical willingness, while "I will forego" indicates a definite intention to give something up. The choice depends on whether you are expressing a possibility or a firm decision.