forward

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'forward' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a verb, an adverb, or an adjective. Example: He moved forward with his plan to build a new house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You lost, stop being so damn jealous and move forward".

The Guardian

She has no compunction in moving Labour beyond our comfort zone and is determined to build a team ready to chart a route forward".

The Guardian

We need to pull together and move forward.

The Guardian - Sport

"So the real challenge for us as we debate our role in the EU is working out what we should be pushing forward, what we should be leading on within the EU, to make it – and us – a more effective economic and global power".

The Guardian

I'm already looking forward to getting the 2015-16 season underway".

The Guardian - Sport

He leaned forward.

The Guardian - Tech

"But I don't believe that to make a decision at this moment is the right way forward, either for Britain or for Europe as a whole.

The Guardian

"It was important for us to have somebody who had the drive, ambition and commitment to work as hard as it takes to take the club forward.

The Guardian - Sport

Clearly, he hadn't bargained on the fact that "paying forward" for the stunt would entail losing his wife, his cat, his last remaining money, and any hope of shopping at the mall again for 12 months after Bloomington police ordered him not to return to the scene for a year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first offence linked to this attacker was in 1990, the latest in February 2005, and there could be more victims who have not come forward.

The Guardian

"It needs work to iron out the inconsistencies," says Stephenson, "and we've put forward three areas where we're lobbying for change".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To maintain clarity, use the specific term depending on the context. If you want to move towards the front use "front", or if you want to express time, use "future" or "ahead".

Common error

Avoid using "forward" in highly formal or technical writing when a more precise term like "advance", "transmit", or "project" would be more appropriate. Overusing "forward" can sometimes reduce the clarity or impact of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The word "forward" primarily functions as an adverb, adjective, or verb, indicating direction, position, or the act of sending something on. Ludwig AI confirms its diverse grammatical roles, supported by multiple examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Sport

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

8%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "forward" is a versatile term used as an adverb, adjective, and verb to indicate direction, position, or transmission. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability across diverse contexts. As evidenced by Ludwig examples, it frequently appears in "News & Media" and "Sport", maintaining a neutral register suitable for broad communication. While "forward" is widely accepted, using more precise terms in formal writing may enhance clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

onward

Focuses on the continuation of movement in a specified direction.

ahead

Emphasizes spatial direction or future progress.

towards the front

Highlights the direction being oriented to the front.

in the future

Shifts the focus to future time or events.

to advance

Highlights the action of making progress.

to promote

Emphasizes fostering growth or development.

to send

Relates to forwarding something like an email or message.

to pass on

Emphasizes conveying or transferring something to someone else.

anterior

Specifically denotes the front part or surface.

front

Indicates the leading or facing surface or position.

FAQs

How can I use "forward" in a sentence?

You can use "forward" in a variety of ways. For instance, "He leaned forward" (adverb), "The forward cabin" (adjective), or "I will forward the email" (verb).

What are some alternatives to the verb "forward"?

Instead of the verb "forward", you could use "send on", "pass on", or "transmit" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "forwards" instead of "forward"?

While "forwards" is grammatically correct and used in some dialects, "forward" is more commonly used, especially in American English. Therefore, "forward" is usually the preferred choice.

What is the difference between "forward" and "onward"?

"Forward" generally indicates movement in a specific direction or progression, while "onward" typically suggests a continuous movement without specifying a particular end.