was forgone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was forgone" is not correct in standard English usage.
The correct term is "was foregone," which means something that has been decided or determined in advance. Example: "The outcome of the match was foregone, as the opposing team had a significant advantage."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Too bad the opportunity was forgone.

The New Yorker

An opportunity to prepare for the inevitable was forgone.

The New Yorker

To do so, he borrowed money from a company, Rochelle, based in Guernsey, an offshore tax haven hardly the first port of call for most people financing a land purchase.The Ecclestone revolutionOur investigation into F1 shows that an estimated $120m was forgone in unusual circumstances by the FIA between 1987 and 1996 in favour of two companies to which Mr Ecclestone is closely linked.

The Economist

However, after a 20-month minority Parti Québécois reign where sovereignty was forgone by austerity with cutbacks to welfare, daycares and education the Liberals came back into office on April 7 , 2014 on vague promises to create 250,000 jobs and to reduce the taxpayers' fiscal burden.

Vice

The value for lost productivity was calculated based on the average earnings of those whose productivity was forgone.

BMC Health Services Research

This measure was based on a question that asked respondents if any household member forwent care for a serious illness, and, if "yes," to identify the illness for which care was forgone.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

By picking Princeton, I was forgoing potential second- or third-round points should U.C.L.A. keep winning.

The New York Times - Sports

For Judith Berman Carlisle, the price of privacy was forgoing the DNA test that would have convinced her not to have surgery.

The New York Times

2. That punky determination didn't mean the Cure was forgoing other modes.

Los Angeles Times

In December, Jefferson announced he was forgoing his final season of eligibility in order to enter the NFL draft.

Los Angeles Times

Interest is forgone by the saver in support of the charity.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for formal writing, substitute "was forgone" with "was foregone" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. "Foregone" implies something predetermined or inevitable.

Common error

Ensure you're using the correct past participle of 'forego'. 'Foregone' refers to something that is predetermined or inevitable, while 'forgone' as the past participle of 'forgo' means to abstain from or do without something. In most contexts, 'foregone' is the intended word.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was forgone" functions as a passive verb construction, intending to indicate that something was given up or abstained from. However, Ludwig AI highlights that it is grammatically incorrect; the correct form is "was foregone", which indicates inevitability or predetermination.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "was forgone" appears in some published sources, Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrase is "was foregone", which means something predetermined or inevitable. The intended purpose is to describe situations where opportunities are missed or outcomes are predictable, but the incorrect grammar detracts from the intended neutral or formal tone. Consider using alternatives like /s/relinquished, /s/waived, or /s/sacrificed to convey the intended meaning more accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was foregone

This corrects the spelling error, making it grammatically standard; it means predetermined.

was relinquished

Indicates a voluntary giving up of something, often an opportunity or right.

was sacrificed

Emphasizes that something was given up, often for a greater purpose or benefit.

was missed

Implies a failure to seize an opportunity or advantage.

was passed up

Suggests a deliberate decision not to take advantage of something.

was waived

Highlights a formal or legal abandonment of a claim or right.

was surrendered

Indicates that something was given up, often under pressure or compulsion.

was forfeited

Implies that something was lost as a consequence of a rule or error.

was yielded

Suggests a giving way or giving in, often under pressure.

was ceded

Indicates a formal transfer of territory or rights.

FAQs

What is the correct spelling, "was forgone" or "was foregone"?

The correct spelling is "was foregone", which means predetermined or inevitable. "Was forgone" is not standard English usage.

What does "was foregone" mean?

"Was foregone" means something that has been decided or determined in advance, often implying inevitability. It suggests that the outcome was already known or certain.

How can I use "was foregone" in a sentence?

You can use "was foregone" to describe a conclusion or result that was predictable. For example, "The conclusion of the investigation was foregone, given the overwhelming evidence."

What are some alternatives to "was foregone"?

Alternatives to "was foregone" include /s/predetermined, /s/inevitable, /s/preordained, or /s/decided+in+advance depending on the context.