walk forwards

USAGE SUMMARY

"walk forwards" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a physical action, for example, "We all followed the guide and walked forwards together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The is the time taken for participants to stand from a 46 cm-high chair with arms, walk forwards 3 meters at regular walking pace, turn back, and return to the original sitting position with their back against the back of the chair.

BMC Geriatrics

It's the front section of the hem on which you are in danger of stepping – I am assuming you mostly walk forwards – so raising that section up slightly makes striding out a breeze.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

However, if a writer works on the principle that fiction isn't true, and the reader accepts that principle, then anything goes, and Tomas can walk backwards clear across Lisbon as easily as he could walk forwards.

The Guardian - Books

Throughout the Castle demo you can walk forwards and backwards to adjust your striking distance for the swords or punches, which to me felt relatively natural, although I was aware that real-world objects like a table lay in my path and there was no way to know whether I was about to hit it.

The Guardian - Tech

They were asked to walk forwards, backwards, and sideways, with eyes both open and closed at different speeds and for various distances.

Clinical interventions in aging

The caterpillar will then walk forwards onto the leaf or paper, in order to avoid your touch.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

We walk forward.

The New Yorker

"Now walk forward, slowly, then back".

The New Yorker

Mr. Frank wants to walk forward.

The New York Times

At the City training fields, he is first to walk forward, to offer his handshake.

The New York Times - Sports

All he does is walk forward with an insane work rate and fight like crazy.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walk forwards" to describe a literal movement in a forward direction, especially when emphasizing the act of walking rather than another form of locomotion. For instance, prefer "walk forwards" over "move forwards" if the manner of movement is relevant.

Common error

Be mindful of redundant phrasing. While "walk forwards" is generally acceptable, avoid using it when "walk" alone suffices. For example, instead of saying "he decided to walk forwards toward the door", consider "he decided to walk toward the door".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walk forwards" primarily functions as a verb phrase describing a physical action. It specifies the manner and direction of movement, as supported by examples in Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

33%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walk forwards" is a grammatically correct, though sometimes slightly redundant, phrase used to describe the act of moving forward by walking. Ludwig identifies it as a valid phrase. It appears across various sources, including news, science, and general reference, with a neutral register. While often "walk" alone suffices, "walk forwards" becomes useful when contrasting directions or emphasizing the manner of movement. Alternatives such as "go forward" or simply "walk" may be more concise depending on the context. While acceptable, be mindful of potential redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

go forward

A slightly more common and versatile alternative.

advance

This is a more formal and general term for moving forward.

proceed

Similar to 'advance', but often implies a planned or deliberate movement.

step forward

Emphasizes a single step in a forward direction.

move ahead

Focuses on continuing progress or moving past an obstacle.

progress

Highlights continuous development or improvement.

continue onward

Emphasizes persistence and maintaining direction.

press on

Suggests overcoming difficulty while moving forward.

forge ahead

Implies creating a new path or overcoming significant resistance.

march forward

Suggests a deliberate and determined movement, often in a group.

FAQs

Is it correct to say "walk forwards"?

Yes, "walk forwards" is grammatically correct and understandable, though sometimes considered slightly redundant since walking inherently implies forward motion. Its usage is supported by examples in diverse contexts, as seen in Ludwig.

What is a simple substitute for "walk forwards"?

A simpler alternative is to just use "walk", as the forward direction is often implied. The choice depends on whether you need to emphasize the direction.

How can I emphasize direction when describing movement?

If emphasizing the forward direction is crucial, alternatives like "go forward", "move ahead", or "advance" can provide that emphasis without being redundant.

In what situations is "walk forwards" most appropriate?

"Walk forwards" is most appropriate when contrasting it with other directions of movement, such as backwards or sideways, or when the specific manner of movement (walking) is important to distinguish from other forms of locomotion. Ludwig's examples illustrate such cases.