How to Use Foreword and Forward Correctly
Using the right word is important when writing. Certain homophones, words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings, frequently give writers trouble. Here are the meanings of both "foreword" and "forward," along with an explanation of how to use this homophone pair correctly.
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Instructions
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Using the Word "Foreward"
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1
Use "foreword" always as a noun, never as any other part of speech.
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2
Describe introductory comments about an author or an author's work as a "foreword."
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3
Equate "foreword" to "preface." Use "preface" when the author himself makes introductory comments; use "foreword" when someone else does so on his behalf.
Using the Word "Forward"
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4
Use "forward" as an adjective to mean being at or near the front or front section or moving toward that place. Also use "forward" as an adjective to mean brash or immodest, such as when approaching a member of the opposite sex for a date, precocious or progressive, as in "forward-thinking" or "forward-looking."
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5
Define "forward" as an adverb to mean moving toward what is ahead either spatially or through time, as in "Holly moved forward through the mud until she was up to her hips in it."
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6
Make "forward" a transitive verb to mean "promote," "advance" or help onward (as to forward someone's career), "transmit" or "send on" (as to forward an email to additional recipients) or to ship from an intermediate location (as to forward mail to someone's new address).
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7
Describe a player in sports such as basketball, hockey or soccer who plays at the front of his team's formation as a "forward." This is when to use "forward" as a noun.
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Tips & Warnings
The word "foreword" dates back only to 1842, while "forward" dates back to the 12th century.
Here's a sentence showing how to use both words correctly: "As soon as I find the writer's new address, I will forward the foreword for his new forward-thinking book about the Chicago Bulls' star forward, which will hopefully move his stalled project forward."
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Comments
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Big typo in your article. Foreward and foreword are all merged together. Your article should have all three defined.
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Instructions: Using the Word "Foreward"? How about correcting the typo first?
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Zerom, you got it wrong! Step (1) says to: ALWAYS USE 'FOREWORD' AS A NOUN. Don't go trying to confuse us now!! =]
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zerom
Oct 12, 2009
Step 1 says never to use "foreword" as a noun. Good. Why then does step 3 enjoin us to "equate" the word with "preface", which can be a verb? And why "equate" anyway? This is a bit sloppy.
