Forward and foreword sound the same, and they look similar. So are they different ways of spelling the same word? Or are they different words altogether?
Take a guess because we’re about to tell you what the difference between forward vs. foreword is.
Forward vs. foreword are different words
If you guessed that forward vs. foreword are different words, you’re right! Here’s what they mean:
Forward
Let’s start with forward. After all, it’s probably the word you’re more likely to use on an everyday basis.
Forward may seem like an easy word. But there’s something tricky about it: we can use it as an adjective, adverb, verb, and noun. This makes it one versatile word!
Let’s break down each of the ways you can use it.
Adjective
As an adjective, forward means being near the front of something or being bold. You could use it in sentences like these:
- “They raced to the forward section of the deck.”
- “She was quite forward about asking whether we would consider investing in them.”
Adverb
Forward can also be an adverb that describes being or moving in the direction someone is facing. For example, you would use it like this:
- “Keep walking forward.”
Verb
As a verb, forward means to pass an email or letter on to someone else. You would use it like this:
- “I forwarded the email to Jonah.”
Noun
Are you wondering when on Earth we use forward as a noun? We’ll give you a hint: It has something to do with sports.
Forward as a noun describes the position of some sports players on a team. Forwards are people who play closest to the opposing team’s goal. How would you use it in a sentence? Check out this example:
- “He used to be a forward on his hockey team.”
When you’re thinking about the difference between forward vs. foreword, remember that forward usually has something to do with being at the front of something or not holding back.
Foreword
Even if you’re not very familiar with the word foreword, there’s something very helpful about it: it’s a noun with a specific definition. So there’s no need to worry about different parts of speech and meanings.
A foreword is a short introduction that appears before the main portion of a book. It’s usually written by someone other than the author of the book. Here’s how you would use foreword in a sentence:
- “He wrote the foreword for the book.”
When you’re thinking about the difference between forward vs. foreword, remember that foreword refers to an introduction to a book.
How to remember the difference between forward vs. foreword
Looking for an easy way to remember the difference between forward vs. foreword? Note that foreword is composed of fore + word. So it literally means before the word (or before the main part of a book).
Summary
Forward vs. foreword look like they could be different ways of spelling the same word. But they aren’t. Use forward when you need to describe something that’s at the front of something or moving in the direction someone is facing. And use foreword to describe the introduction that appears before the main part of a book.
Would you use enormity or enormousness in this sentence: “The __________ of the universe can make you feel small and insignificant”? We’ve got the answer in our post on the difference between enormity vs. enormousness.