Forbid vs Forfend: When to Opt for One Term Over Another

Forbid vs Forfend: which one is the right word to use? The answer is not as simple as one might think. In fact, both words are proper, but they have different meanings and connotations.

Forbid means to prohibit or disallow something. For example, a parent might forbid their child from watching TV until they finish their homework. On the other hand, forfend means to avert or prevent something undesirable from happening. For instance, a homeowner might take measures to forfend their property against burglary.

In this article, we will delve into the nuances of these two words and explore their usage in different contexts. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of when to use forbid and when to use forfend.

In this section, we will define the two words that are the focus of this article: forbid and forfend.

Forbid

Forbid is a verb that means to prohibit or disallow something from happening. It is often used in a legal or authoritative context, where a person or entity has the power to prevent others from engaging in certain actions. For example, a parent may forbid their child from staying out past a certain time, or a government may forbid certain types of behavior that are deemed harmful to society.

Forfend

Forfend is a verb that means to prevent or avert something from happening. It is often used in a more general sense, where the focus is on stopping something from occurring rather than specifically prohibiting it. For example, a person may forfend an accident by taking precautions, or a community may forfend a crisis by being prepared and proactive.

While forbid and forfend may seem similar at first glance, they have distinct meanings that are important to understand in order to use them correctly in writing and conversation.

How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence

Choosing the right word to use in a sentence can be a daunting task, especially when two words have similar meanings. This section will provide you with a clear understanding of how to use the words forbid and forfend in a sentence.

How To Use Forbid In A Sentence

The word forbid is a verb that means to prohibit or disallow something. It is often used to express a command or order to not do something.

Here are some examples of how to use forbid in a sentence:

• The teacher forbids the use of cellphones in class.
• The law forbids smoking in public places.
• My parents forbade me from going to the party.

As you can see from the examples, forbid is often followed by a direct object or an infinitive verb.

How To Use Forfend In A Sentence

Forfend is a verb that means to prevent or protect against something. It is often used in a more formal or literary context.

Here are some examples of how to use forfend in a sentence:

• May the heavens forfend such a tragedy from occurring.
• We must take measures to forfend any potential security breaches.
• The vaccine will hopefully forfend the spread of the virus.

As you can see from the examples, forfend is often followed by a direct object or a preposition.

It is important to note that while forbid and forfend have similar meanings, they are used in different contexts. Forbid is used to express a command or order to not do something, while forfend is used to express the prevention or protection against something.

More Examples Of Forbid & Forfend Used In Sentences

In this section, we will provide you with more examples of how to use the words forbid and forfend in a sentence. By going through these examples, you will gain a better understanding of how to use the words in the right context.

Examples Of Using Forbid In A Sentence

• The teacher forbids the use of mobile phones during class.
• My parents forbade me from going to the party.
• The company forbids employees from using social media during work hours.
• The law forbids the sale of alcohol to minors.
• The doctor forbids the patient from eating fatty foods.
• The sign forbids parking in this area.
• The school forbids students from wearing hats in class.
• The government forbids smoking in public places.
• The rules forbid players from using foul language on the field.
• The contract forbids the use of company resources for personal gain.

Examples Of Using Forfend In A Sentence

• May the heavens forfend such a tragedy from ever happening again.
• The fortune teller warned the young couple to forfend any future misfortunes.
• It is our duty to forfend our country from external threats.
• The knight prayed to the gods to forfend the dragon from attacking the village.
• She always carries a lucky charm to forfend bad luck.
• The wise old man advised the young prince to forfend the temptation of greed.
• The captain ordered his crew to forfend any pirates from boarding the ship.
• The villagers built a wall to forfend against wild animals.
• The doctor prescribed a vaccine to forfend against the flu.
• The priest prayed to forfend the evil spirits from entering the church.

Common Mistakes To Avoid

When it comes to using language correctly, it’s easy to make mistakes. One common mistake that people make is using the words “forbid” and “forfend” interchangeably. However, these words have different meanings and should not be used in place of each other. Here are some common mistakes people make when using these words and why they are incorrect:

Mistake #1: Using “Forbid” When You Mean “Forfend”

Forbid means to prohibit or disallow something. For example, “The sign forbids smoking in this area.” On the other hand, forfend means to prevent or ward off something. For example, “The amulet was believed to forfend evil spirits.” Using “forbid” when you mean “forfend” can lead to confusion and a misunderstanding of what you are trying to say.

Mistake #2: Using “Forfend” When You Mean “Forbid”

As mentioned before, forfend means to prevent or ward off something. For example, “The security guard was there to forfend any potential theft.” However, using “forfend” when you mean “forbid” is incorrect. Forbid means to prohibit or disallow something, and using “forfend” in its place can make your statement unclear and confusing.

Tips To Avoid These Mistakes

Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:

• Take the time to understand the meanings of both words.
• Use “forbid” when you mean to prohibit or disallow something.
• Use “forfend” when you mean to prevent or ward off something.
• Proofread your writing to ensure that you are using the correct word.

Context Matters

Forbid and forfend are two words that are often used interchangeably, but the context in which they are used can make a difference in their meaning. In some cases, one word may be more appropriate than the other, depending on the situation.

Examples Of Different Contexts

Here are some examples of different contexts and how the choice between forbid and forfend might change:

Context	Forbid	Forfend
Parenting	A parent might forbid their child from eating too much candy.	A parent might forfend their child from going outside during a thunderstorm.
Law Enforcement	A police officer might forbid someone from entering a crime scene.	A police officer might forfend someone from approaching a dangerous situation.
Religion	A religious leader might forbid certain behaviors or actions based on their beliefs.	A religious leader might forfend their followers from participating in activities that are deemed immoral or sinful.

As you can see, the choice between forbid and forfend can depend on the context in which they are used. In general, forbid is used to prohibit or prevent something from happening, while forfend is used to protect or defend against something that might happen.

Exceptions To The Rules

While the rules for using forbid and forfend are generally straightforward, there are some exceptions to consider. In certain cases, the rules may not apply, and it is important to understand these exceptions to use these words correctly.

Exceptions For Forbid

One exception to the rule for using forbid is when it is used in the phrase “forbidden fruit.” In this context, the word refers to something that is tempting or desirable, but that should not be pursued or consumed. For example:

• Although chocolate cake is my favorite, I have to resist it because it is forbidden fruit for me.
• The company policy forbids employees from using their personal phones during work hours, but it is a forbidden fruit that many still indulge in.

Another exception is when forbid is used as a noun to mean a prohibition or law that prevents someone from doing something. For example:

• The forbid on smoking in public places has been in effect for several years now.
• There is a strict forbid on bringing outside food into the movie theater.

Exceptions For Forfend

Forfend is a less commonly used word, but it also has some exceptions to its usage. One exception is when it is used in the phrase “God/Heaven forfend.” This phrase is used to express a hope or prayer that something bad will not happen. For example:

• God forfend that we should ever have another war.
• Heaven forfend that anything should happen to my children.

Another exception is when forfend is used in a humorous or ironic way to mean the opposite of what it normally means. For example:

• Forfend that we should ever have a quiet day in this office!
• Oh, forfend that we should ever have a raise or a bonus!

Overall, while these exceptions may seem minor, they can greatly impact the meaning and usage of forbid and forfend in certain contexts. It is important to be aware of these exceptions to use these words correctly and effectively.

Practice Exercises

Now that we have explored the differences between forbid and forfend, it’s time to put our knowledge into practice. Below are some exercises to help you improve your understanding and use of these words in sentences. Make sure to read the instructions carefully and choose the correct word to complete each sentence.

Exercise 1

Choose the correct word to complete each sentence:

1. My parents always __________ me from staying out too late.
2. The sign at the pool __________ diving in the shallow end.
3. The teacher __________ the students from using their phones during class.
4. The security guard __________ the protesters from entering the building.
5. It is important to __________ your dog from eating chocolate.

Answer key:

Sentence	Correct word
1	forbids
2	forfends
3	forbids
4	forfends
5	forbid

Exercise 2

Complete the following sentences with either forbid or forfend:

• It is important to __________ children from accessing inappropriate content online.
• The company policy __________ employees from using their personal phones at work.
• The mayor __________ the use of fireworks in the city limits.
• My doctor __________ me from eating certain foods because of my allergies.

Explanations:

• Forbid – to prohibit or disallow something
• Forfend – to prevent or ward off something

Answer key:

• forbid
• forbids
• forfends
• forbids

By practicing these exercises, you will be able to improve your understanding and use of forbid and forfend in your writing and speech. Remember to always choose the correct word based on its meaning and usage in context.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the proper use of language is crucial in conveying your thoughts and ideas effectively. The distinction between “forbid” and “forfend” may seem minor, but it is important to understand the nuances of each word to avoid confusion and miscommunication.

Here are the key takeaways from this article:

Forbid Vs Forfend

• “Forbid” means to prohibit or disallow something.
• “Forfend” means to prevent or protect against something.
• While both words have similar meanings, “forfend” is less commonly used and often considered archaic.
• It is important to choose the correct word based on the intended meaning of the sentence.

As language and grammar continue to evolve, it is important to continue learning and improving our communication skills. Whether it’s through reading, writing, or taking courses, we can all benefit from a deeper understanding of language use.