to forge ahead

USAGE SUMMARY

'to forge ahead' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is commonly used to describe moving forward with a difficult task despite obstacles or challenges. For example: Despite the difficult circumstances, the team was determined to forge ahead and reach their goal.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Opposition activists vowed to forge ahead.

The Guardian

San Francisco plans to forge ahead regardless.

The New York Times

Orlando City are determined to forge ahead.

The Guardian - Sport

But Sage has been preparing to forge ahead.

The New York Times

To forge ahead on Don't Ask Don't Tell?

The New Yorker

He has no excuse not to forge ahead.

The Economist

At home, he pledges to forge ahead with liberal reforms.

The Economist

"We had our chances, plenty of them, to forge ahead.

The New York Times - Sports

But he concedes it's time to forge ahead.

The Guardian - Music

And the pressure from Congress to forge ahead never stopped.

The New York Times

It doesn't look like any team is going to forge ahead now.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to forge ahead" when you want to emphasize determination and resilience in the face of adversity. It's particularly effective in contexts where progress is challenging.

Common error

Avoid using "to forge ahead" in very informal conversations. While widely accepted, it carries a slightly more formal tone than simple alternatives like "keep going."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "to forge ahead" is as an infinitive phrase, often serving as an adverbial modifier or part of a verb phrase. It describes the manner in which an action is performed, emphasizing persistence and determination. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to forge ahead" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive phrase that conveys a sense of determination and resilience. According to Ludwig, it's commonly employed to describe moving forward with a difficult task despite obstacles. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, but also appears in scientific and business writing. When choosing an alternative, consider the specific nuance you want to convey, as phrases like "to press on" or "to persevere" may be more appropriate depending on the situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to press on

Focuses on continuing a journey or task without being discouraged.

to push forward

Emphasizes applying effort to advance.

to advance

Highlights moving towards a goal or objective.

to proceed

Stresses the continuation of a planned action or process.

to carry on

Implies persisting with an activity or task, often despite difficulty.

to keep going

Highlights maintaining effort to avoid stopping.

to move forward

Focuses on progressing and leaving the past behind.

to make headway

Emphasizes achieving progress, especially in challenging situations.

to push through

Implies overcoming obstacles with determination.

to persevere

Stresses continuing despite hardship or adversity.

FAQs

How can I use "to forge ahead" in a sentence?

You can use "to forge ahead" to describe continuing with a plan or activity despite difficulties. For example, "Despite the setbacks, the company decided to forge ahead with the project."

What are some alternatives to "to forge ahead"?

You can use alternatives like "to press on", "to push forward", or "to persevere", depending on the context.

Is it more appropriate to use "to forge ahead" or "to move forward"?

"To forge ahead" implies overcoming obstacles, while "to move forward" simply suggests making progress. Choose "to forge ahead" when facing challenges and "to move forward" when the context is neutral.

In what situations is "to forge ahead" most suitable?

"To forge ahead" is most suitable in situations where there's a need to emphasize resilience, determination, and overcoming significant obstacles to achieve a goal.