Have you ever been unsure whether to use “forward” or “forwarded” in your emails or messages? It’s a common dilemma, but fear not – we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between these two words and when to use each one.
Let’s clarify the proper word usage. “Forward” is the correct word to use when you want to send something on to another person or group. On the other hand, “forwarded” is the past tense of “forward” and refers to something that has already been sent on to another person or group.
So, to sum it up: “forward” means to send something on, while “forwarded” means something has already been sent on.
Now that we’ve got that cleared up, let’s dive deeper into the nuances of these words and explore some examples of when to use each one.
Define Forwarded
Forwarded is the past tense of the verb “forward.” It means to send something, such as an email or a package, to another person or destination. When an email is forwarded, it is sent to someone other than the original recipient. The forwarded email can include the original message, as well as any attachments or additional comments added by the person who forwarded it.
Define Forward
Forward is a verb that means to send something, such as a message or an item, to another person or destination. It can also be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun. As an adjective, forward means moving ahead or making progress. As an adverb, it means in the direction of the front or ahead in time. As a noun, forward refers to a position in sports, such as in soccer or basketball, where the player is positioned near the opponent’s goal.
Here are some examples of how forward can be used:
- Can you please forward the email to me?
- The package was forwarded to the wrong address.
- The team made a forward pass to score the winning goal.
It is important to note that while forwarded and forward are related, they have different meanings and should be used appropriately in different contexts.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to using the words “forwarded” and “forward” in a sentence, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. Here’s a breakdown of how to use each word correctly:
How To Use “Forwarded” In A Sentence
The word “forwarded” is the past tense of the verb “forward,” which means to send something on to another person or place. Here are some examples of how to use “forwarded” correctly:
- I forwarded the email to my boss.
- She forwarded the package to the correct address.
- He forwarded the message to the entire team.
As you can see, “forwarded” is used to describe an action that has already taken place. It’s important to use this word in the past tense to indicate that the action is complete.
How To Use “Forward” In A Sentence
The word “forward” can be used as both a verb and an adjective. As a verb, it means to send something on to another person or place. As an adjective, it means to be situated or moving in a direction ahead or to the front. Here are some examples of how to use “forward” correctly:
- Can you forward the email to me?
- We need to move forward with the project.
- The car moved forward slowly.
When using “forward” as a verb, it’s important to include an object to indicate what is being sent on. As an adjective, it’s used to describe the direction of movement or position.
Overall, understanding the proper usage of “forwarded” and “forward” can help you communicate more effectively in both written and spoken language.
More Examples Of Forwarded & Forward Used In Sentences
In this section, we will explore more examples of how the words “forwarded” and “forward” are used in sentences. Understanding the proper usage of these words can help you communicate more effectively in both written and verbal communication.
Examples Of Using “Forwarded” In A Sentence
- He forwarded the email to his boss for review.
- The package was forwarded to the correct address.
- She forwarded the message to her entire contact list.
- After receiving the document, she forwarded it to the legal department.
- The email was forwarded to the wrong recipient by mistake.
- He forwarded the job application to the HR department for consideration.
- The memo was forwarded to all employees for their information.
- She forwarded the meeting agenda to the attendees ahead of time.
- The email was forwarded to the spam folder by the email filter.
- He forwarded the customer complaint to the customer service department for resolution.
Examples Of Using “Forward” In A Sentence
- The project team is looking forward to the upcoming deadline.
- She asked him to forward the document to her after he reviewed it.
- He decided to forward the job offer to his friend who was looking for work.
- The company plans to move forward with the new product launch.
- She encouraged him to move forward with his career goals.
- The team made a decision to forward their proposal to the board of directors.
- He is looking forward to the opportunity to work with the new team.
- The committee voted to forward the recommendation to the CEO for approval.
- She decided to forward the email to her supervisor for guidance.
- He is excited to move forward with the plans for the new office space.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to using the words “forwarded” and “forward,” many people tend to use them interchangeably. However, this is not correct, and it can lead to confusion in communication. Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using these words:
Using “Forward” As A Noun
One common mistake is using “forward” as a noun, such as “I will send you the forward.” However, “forward” is not a noun; it is an adverb or an adjective. The correct way to use it in this context is to say, “I will send you the forward message.”
Using “Forwarded” Instead Of “Sent”
Another mistake people make is using “forwarded” instead of “sent.” For example, saying “I forwarded the email to you” instead of “I sent the email to you.” The word “forwarded” implies that the email was already sent to someone else before being sent to the recipient, which may not be the case. It’s better to use “sent” to avoid confusion.
Not Considering The Context
It’s important to consider the context in which you are using these words. For example, if you are talking about forwarding an email, it’s important to make it clear whether you are sending the original email or a copy of it. Using the wrong word can lead to confusion and misunderstandings.
Tips To Avoid Making These Mistakes
Here are some tips to help you avoid making these mistakes in the future:
- Double-check your use of “forward” and “forwarded” before sending any messages or emails.
- If you are unsure which word to use, consult a dictionary or grammar guide.
- Consider the context in which you are using these words and make sure they are appropriate.
By following these tips, you can ensure that you are using “forward” and “forwarded” correctly, avoiding confusion and miscommunication.
Context Matters
When it comes to using the words “forwarded” and “forward,” context is everything. These two words may seem interchangeable at first glance, but their meanings can vary depending on the situation in which they are used.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between “forwarded” and “forward” might change:
| Context | Explanation | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Emails | In email communication, “forward” typically means to send a message to someone who was not originally included in the conversation. “Forwarded,” on the other hand, usually refers to a message that was sent to someone else and then passed along to you. | If you want me to see that email, please forward it to me. I received the email you forwarded from Jane. |
| Physical Objects | When referring to physical objects, “forward” generally means to move something ahead or to the front. “Forwarded” can mean the same thing, but it is often used to describe something that has been sent or delivered to a new location. | Please move the chair forward so we can see the screen better. The package was forwarded to my new address. |
| Actions | When used to describe actions, “forward” can mean to promote or advance something. “Forwarded” can also be used in this context, but it usually refers to passing something along to someone else. | We need to forward this proposal to the board for approval. She forwarded the message to her team for review. |
As you can see, the choice between “forwarded” and “forward” can depend on the specific context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the meaning you want to convey and choose the right word accordingly.
Exceptions To The Rules
While the rules for using “forwarded” and “forward” are generally straightforward, there are a few exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are some explanations and examples for each case:
1. Forwarded Emails
When it comes to emails, the use of “forwarded” or “forward” can depend on the context. If you are referring to an email that has been sent to you by someone else and you are sending it on to another person, the correct term to use is “forwarded.” For example:
- “I received an email from John and I forwarded it to Jane.”
However, if you are referring to the act of sending an email to someone else, regardless of whether it was originally sent to you or not, the correct term to use is “forward.” For example:
- “I need to forward this email to the marketing team.”
2. Forwarding Physical Items
When it comes to physical items, the use of “forwarded” and “forward” can also depend on the context. If you are referring to the act of sending an item to someone else, the correct term to use is “forward.” For example:
- “I need to forward this package to our New York office.”
However, if you are referring to an item that has been sent to you by someone else and you are sending it on to another person, the correct term to use is “forwarded.” For example:
- “I received a package from our London office and I forwarded it to our Paris office.”
3. Regional Differences
It is worth noting that there may be regional differences in the use of “forwarded” and “forward.” In some parts of the world, such as the UK, “forwarded” may be used more commonly than “forward.” However, in the US, “forward” tends to be the more commonly used term.
Ultimately, the key to using “forwarded” and “forward” correctly is to consider the context in which they are being used. By following the general rules outlined above and taking into account any exceptions, you can ensure that your communication is clear and effective.
Practice Exercises
Understanding the difference between forwarded and forward is crucial in effective communication. To help readers improve their understanding and use of these two words, here are some practice exercises:
Exercise 1: Fill In The Blank
Fill in the blank with either forwarded or forward:
- Can you please _______ this email to the rest of the team?
- I will _______ your message to the appropriate department.
- She _______ the article to her colleagues for review.
- Please _______ this document to the client for their approval.
- He _______ the message to all of his contacts.
Answer Key:
- forward
- forward
- forwarded
- forward
- forwarded
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Choose the correct word to fill in the blank:
- He _______ the email to his boss for approval.
- a) forwarded
- b) forward
- a) forward
- b) forwarded
- a) forward
- b) forwarded
- a) forward
- b) forwarded
- a) forward
- b) forwarded
Answer Key:
- a) forwarded
- a) forward
- a) forward
- b) forwarded
- a) forward
By practicing these exercises, readers can improve their understanding and use of forwarded and forward in sentences. Remember, forward is a verb that means to send something on to another destination, while forwarded is the past tense of forward and means that something has already been sent on to another destination.
Conclusion
After reading this article, it is clear that the difference between “forwarded” and “forward” is important to understand in terms of proper grammar and language use.
Here are the key takeaways:
- “Forwarded” is the past tense of “forward,” while “forward” is the present tense.
- Using “forwarded” instead of “forward” in certain contexts can lead to confusion or incorrect meaning.
- It is important to pay attention to verb tense and context when using these words.
As with any aspect of grammar and language use, there is always more to learn. Continuing to improve our understanding and usage of language can lead to clearer communication and more effective writing.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.