to forego

USAGE SUMMARY

"to forego" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It means to voluntarily give up something or to refrain from doing something. For example, "I decided to forego my usual morning coffee in favour of a healthy smoothie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Last week, Northrop opted to forego a bid.

The New York Times

With all this largesse, we were prepared to forego dessert.

The New York Times

He also had to forego a tax abatement during construction.

The New York Times

It is better to forego certain benefits than face Brexit".

The Guardian

The free papers are not difficult to forego.

The Guardian

Why were you determined to forego venture capital?

The New York Times

(Ph.D. shoppers might want to forego the unusual honor).

The New York Times

We decided to forego Ricote's charms until someone constructed a usable road to it.

The Guardian - Travel

But for those willing to forego beachfront views and sleek design, there are a few options.

The New York Times - Travel

"Moses is the first tour guide to forego a direct route.

The New Yorker

COLLEGES CHARLESTON, S.C.--Announced F Leighton Bowie has decided to forego his senior year of eligibility.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to forego" when you want to express a voluntary decision to give up something, often for a specific reason or benefit. For example, "They chose "to forego" the vacation "to forego" save money."

Common error

While "to forego" is generally acceptable, consider the context. In very informal settings, simpler alternatives like "to skip" or "to miss out on" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to forego" functions primarily as an infinitive verb phrase. It indicates an action that is intended or contemplated. Ludwig examples show it commonly used after verbs of decision or intention, such as "decided" or "willing."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

32%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to forego" is a versatile expression used to indicate a deliberate choice to give up something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and widely used. Predominantly found in "News & Media" and "Science" contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. While interchangeable with alternatives like "to relinquish" or "to waive", its specific connotation of voluntary abstention makes it a valuable tool in precise communication. Remember to consider simpler options like "to skip" for more casual situations. Using "to forego" correctly will enhance the clarity and sophistication of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to relinquish

Focuses on formally giving up a claim or right.

to waive

Implies intentionally giving up a right or claim.

to sacrifice

Suggests giving up something valuable for a greater cause.

to abandon

Indicates a complete and often permanent giving up of something.

to surrender

Implies giving up to an opposing force or demand.

to cede

Denotes formally handing over control or territory.

to forfeit

Means losing something as a penalty or consequence.

to abstain from

Highlights voluntarily restraining oneself from something.

to refrain from

Emphasizes holding back from doing something.

to do without

Suggests managing without something, often due to necessity.

FAQs

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

You can use "to forego" to indicate a decision to give up something. For example, "She decided "to forego" dessert /s/skip+dessert in order to reduce her sugar intake."

What is a formal alternative to "to forego"?

A more formal alternative to "to forego" is "to relinquish", which implies a formal or legal surrender of something.

Is it correct to say "forego" instead of "to forego"?

Yes, "forego" is the base form of the verb. You use "to forego" when using the infinitive form of the verb, such as "I decided "to forego" the opportunity." You can simply use "forego" if you need to use a present tense of the verb like "I forego the opportunity".

What's the difference between "to forego" and "to forgo"?

"To forego" and "to forgo" are essentially interchangeable, both meaning to abstain from or give up something. The spelling "forego" is slightly more common, but both are accepted.