by foregoing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by foregoing" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to indicate that someone is choosing to give up or do without something. Example: "She improved her health by foregoing sugary snacks." Alternative expressions include "by giving up," "by sacrificing," and "by renouncing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

RelayRides, meanwhile, will save hundreds of dollars per car by foregoing the smart-key hardware installation.

The New York Times

In suburban middle America, apparently only grade-A weirdos would risk public contumely by foregoing Christmas to spend the $6,000 thus saved on a cruise.

The Guardian - Books

By foregoing a full environmental review, taking a direct route, and leaving out clean-up measures, the state has built a 14-mile drainage channel for only $28m.

The Economist

For some the ethical standard that Peter Singer sets should be higher than whether we should save innocent children on the other side of the world by foregoing material comfort and wealth.

The Guardian - Opinion

NEXT month the shareholders of British Airways will enjoy the services of the firm's embattled boss and finance chief, free of charge, as the pair do their bit to cut costs by foregoing a month's wages.

The Economist

Robert Rubin, the treasury secretary, argued recently that, thanks to NAFTA, Mexico had reacted to the peso crisis by foregoing the use of tariff increases, unlike in previous crises.In fact, Mexico put more than 500 of its tariffs up.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

She was reminding them, indirectly, that the government's word on the eventual participation of Britain in the single currency is believed by Manuel Barroso himself, and signalling that we will repay the debts we are now running up so recklessly, and will restore the stability of our public and household finances by eventually foregoing the abuse of printing the currency in which we borrow.

The Guardian - Opinion

Since nuclear weapons could not be un-invented, it would be best to reduce the risk of their use by non-nuclear powers foregoing their right to acquire them.

The Guardian - Opinion

This allows individuals to instantaneously benefit from patches detected by others, while not foregoing any opportunities to join their neighbors while searching for their own food.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

MEN is foregoing substantial revenue by outlawing such ads and it deserves applause for having dared to do so.

The Guardian

He is far from alone in foregoing a trial by jury in fear of decades behind bars if found guilty.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In highly formal academic or legal writing, consider whether 'forgoing' (without the 'e') is preferred by your specific style guide, as it is the more traditional spelling for 'going without'.

Common error

Be careful not to use "by foregoing" if you actually mean 'by the preceding' (referring to something previously mentioned in the text). While "by foregoing" usually refers to giving something up, 'the foregoing' is a noun phrase used to refer to earlier parts of a document. If you mean 'by giving up', the gerund is the correct choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by foregoing" serves as an instrumental prepositional phrase that introduces a gerund. It functions to explain the mechanism or method through which a particular result is achieved. According to Ludwig AI, it typically precedes a noun phrase that represents the benefit or item being sacrificed.

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "by foregoing" is a robust and widely accepted expression in English, particularly within professional and journalistic spheres. It effectively communicates the idea of achieving a goal through the deliberate act of giving something up. While there is a historical distinction between 'forgo' (to abstain) and 'forego' (to precede), Ludwig AI demonstrates that major publications frequently utilize the latter spelling in the context of sacrifice. The phrase is most commonly used when discussing economic decisions, scientific methodologies, or ethical choices. To ensure clarity in your writing, use "by foregoing" when the emphasis is on a calculated omission that serves a larger purpose. If you are writing for a very traditional audience, you might opt for "by forgoing" to adhere to older spelling conventions, but in modern usage, both are understood to mean the same thing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by forgoing

Uses the more traditional spelling for abstaining from something

by giving up

A more common and less formal phrasal verb

by abstaining from

Emphasizes the deliberate choice to avoid an action or item

by waiving

Often used in legal or professional contexts regarding rights or fees

by sacrificing

Highlights the value of what is being lost for a greater cause

by eschewing

A more literary or sophisticated alternative to avoiding something

by declining

Focuses on the refusal of an offer or opportunity

by renouncing

Suggests a more formal or public rejection of a claim or habit

by bypassing

Suggests avoiding a specific step or traditional route

by skipping

Informal alternative suggesting a lack of participation in a standard event

FAQs

How do I use "by foregoing" in a sentence?

You can use it to explain a method of saving or achieving something, for example: "The company increased its margins "by foregoing" expensive television advertising."

Is it "by forgoing" or "by foregoing"?

Both are used, but they have different roots. Historically, "forgo" means to abstain from, while "forego" means to go before. However, many reputable sources like The Economist and The Guardian use "by foregoing" to mean 'by giving up'.

What is a more formal way to say "by giving up"?

You can use more sophisticated alternatives like "by eschewing" or "by relinquishing" depending on the context.

Can I use "by foregoing" in business writing?

Yes, it is very common in business writing to describe cost-cutting measures, such as "by foregoing bonuses" or skipping specific processes.