forth to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forth to" can be used in written English, although it is not very common. In general, it can be used to describe the action of journeying, progressing, or advancing in a particular direction. For example: "They set forth to explore the unknown lands across the great sea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I put this forth to Mr Tsipras.

Independent

Then he ventured forth to discover America.

The New Yorker

Scheuer has come forth to challenge this complacency.

The New York Times - Books

So I commuted back and forth to Phoenix every week.

The New York Times

Nettie has been back and forth to America three times.

The New Yorker

They lumbered back and forth to the table, ferrying lamb.

The New Yorker

We'll travel back and forth to see each other.

Independent

"You can go back and forth to the apartment".

The New York Times

One night, bridesmaids paraded back and forth to the restroom.

The New York Times

We would rush back and forth to the loo.

The Guardian

Some are shuttled back and forth to psychiatric wards.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forth to" to add a touch of formality or archaism to your writing, especially when describing deliberate movement or progression toward a specific goal. Ensure the context aligns with this slightly elevated tone.

Common error

Avoid using "forth to" excessively in modern writing, as it can sound stilted or unnatural. Reserve it for situations where a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone is desired.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forth to" is to act as a prepositional phrase indicating movement or direction towards a specific destination or goal. Ludwig examples show it frequently used with verbs of motion, such as "set forth" or "venture forth".

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

33%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forth to" serves as a prepositional phrase that adds a touch of formality when describing movement toward a goal. While Ludwig identifies it as grammatically correct, its usage is somewhat uncommon in contemporary English and primarily found in news, science, and wiki contexts. To avoid sounding stilted, reserve "forth to" for situations where a slightly old-fashioned or formal tone is desired and consider alternatives like "onward to" or "ahead to" for modern contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onward to

Emphasizes a continued movement or progression toward a specific goal or destination.

ahead to

Highlights movement in a forward direction, often suggesting anticipation or planning.

out towards

Indicates a direction or orientation towards something external.

forward towards

Similar to "ahead to", it stresses the direction and intent of movement.

out to

Implies venturing outward with a specific purpose or intention.

towards

A general preposition indicating direction without specifying the mode of movement.

in the direction of

A more formal way of indicating movement towards a specific location or object.

in pursuit of

Focuses on the act of seeking or chasing after a particular objective.

with the aim of

Highlights the intention or goal behind the movement or action.

en route to

Specifically indicates movement or travel towards a destination.

FAQs

How can I use "forth to" in a sentence?

You can use "forth to" to describe a journey or progression toward a goal, such as "They ventured forth to explore new lands" or "The research team set forth to discover the truth".

What are some alternatives to "forth to"?

Consider using alternatives like "onward to", "ahead to", or "out towards" depending on the specific context.

Is "forth to" considered formal or informal?

The phrase "forth to" is generally considered more formal and somewhat archaic. It is less common in everyday speech and writing but can be used to add a touch of elegance or tradition.

When should I avoid using "forth to" in my writing?

Avoid using "forth to" in informal or contemporary contexts where a more straightforward and modern phrasing would be more appropriate. Overuse can make your writing sound unnatural or pretentious.