Vocabulary
B1–B2
5 min read
Updated 10 June 2026
Quick answer: Forward relates to direction, movement, or progress: move forward; look forward to something; fast-forward. Foreword (containing the word word) is the introductory piece written at the front of a book, typically by someone other than the author: read the foreword before the first chapter. Memory trick: a foreword is made of words — it comes before the text.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|
| forward | adverb / adjective / verb / noun | towards the front; ahead in time; to send on; bold or presumptuous | She stepped forward to receive the award. |
| foreword | noun | a short introductory piece at the beginning of a book (often by someone other than the author) | The foreword was written by a Nobel Prize winner. |
Using Forward
Forward is a versatile word used in many contexts. As an adverb: move forward, go forward, look forward. As an adjective: forward planning, a forward position. As a verb: to forward an email (to send it on to another person). As a noun: a centre forward in football.
Please forward this email to your manager.
The company must move forward with the project.
I'm really looking forward to the holiday.
The striker played as centre forward.
Common Phrases with Forward
- look forward to (anticipate with pleasure)
- forward thinking / forward-looking (planning ahead, progressive)
- fast forward (skip ahead in a recording or time)
- put forward (propose or suggest)
- bring forward (move to an earlier date)
Using Foreword (Noun)
A foreword is a short piece of writing placed before the main text of a book. It is typically written by someone other than the book's author — a respected colleague, celebrity, or expert — and introduces the book and its author to the reader. It differs from a preface (written by the author) and an introduction (part of the book's main argument).
The foreword praised the author's decade-long research.
She was asked to write the foreword to the anniversary edition.
The book's foreword set the historical context beautifully.
The word foreword contains both fore (meaning before or front) and word — it is quite literally words that come before. This is the easiest way to remember its meaning and spelling.
Memory Trick
Look for the word word inside fore-word: a foreword is made of words and comes at the fore (front) of a book. If the context involves a book or writing, use foreword. For everything else — direction, progress, sending emails — use forward.
Common Mistakes
Mistake 1 — Using forward for a book's introduction
✗ Please read the forward before chapter one.
✓ Please read the foreword before chapter one.
Mistake 2 — Using foreword for direction
✗ Take two steps foreword.
✓ Take two steps forward.
Mistake 3 — Confusing foreword with preface
Note: a foreword is written by someone other than the main author; a preface is written by the author themselves.
Mini-Quiz
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between forward and foreword?
Forward relates to direction, movement, progress, or sending something on: move forward, look forward to, forward an email, fast-forward. Foreword (containing the word "word") is a short introductory piece written at the beginning of a book, usually by someone other than the main author. If the context is a book or writing, use foreword; for everything else, use forward.
How do I spell the introduction to a book — foreword or forward?
The introduction to a book is a foreword — spelled with an E between fore and word. The trick: foreword contains the word "word" because it is made of words that come at the fore (front) of the book. Forward (without the E in the middle) has nothing to do with books — it is about direction or progress. If you are writing about a published book's opening section, always spell it foreword.
What is the difference between a foreword, a preface, and an introduction?
A foreword is written by someone other than the book's main author — typically a respected colleague, expert, or celebrity — and endorses or introduces the book. A preface is written by the author themselves, explaining how and why the book was written. An introduction is part of the book's main argument — it sets up the topic and is usually considered chapter one or part of the text itself. In publishing, these three terms are not interchangeable.
Can forward be a verb?
Yes — to forward means to send something on to another person or address: "Could you forward this email to the team?"; "Please forward my post to my new address." This use is especially common with emails and post. The past tense is forwarded: "She forwarded the message immediately." Note: foreword cannot be used as a verb — it is always a noun referring to a book's introductory section.
What does "fast-forward" mean?
Fast-forward means to move quickly ahead through a recording (video, audio) or to skip forward in time. As a verb: "Fast-forward to the three-minute mark." As an adjective or noun: "a fast-forward moment." Figuratively: "Let's fast-forward five years — where do you see yourself?" This is always spelled forward (not foreword) because it relates to direction (going ahead quickly), not to written words.
What does "look forward to" mean?
Look forward to is a phrasal verb meaning to anticipate something with pleasure: "I'm really looking forward to the weekend." The object must be a noun or gerund (-ing form): "I look forward to hearing from you" (correct); "I look forward to hear from you" (incorrect). This is always forward (direction — looking ahead in time), never foreword. It is one of the most common English phrasal verbs and appears frequently in business email closings.
Who writes a foreword?
A foreword is traditionally written by someone other than the book's main author — often a well-known expert, colleague, mentor, or public figure who can lend credibility to the book. Examples: a former president writing the foreword to a political memoir; a renowned chef writing the foreword to a cookery book; a Nobel laureate writing the foreword to a scientific text. The foreword writer's name often appears on the book cover to boost its appeal.
Is "forward thinking" one word or two?
Forward-thinking (hyphenated as an adjective) or forward thinking (two words as a noun phrase) — both are acceptable. As an adjective before a noun: "a forward-thinking company." As a noun phrase: "We appreciate forward thinking in this organisation." It means planning ahead, progressive, or open to new ideas. It uses forward (direction), not foreword. The hyphen is recommended when the phrase directly modifies a noun.
What does "put forward" mean?
Put forward is a phrasal verb meaning to propose, suggest, or nominate: "She put forward a new proposal"; "He was put forward as a candidate for chairman"; "The committee put forward three options." It always uses forward (movement ahead, bringing to attention), never foreword. Other similar phrases: bring forward (move to an earlier date or present a point), come forward (present oneself), and press forward (continue despite difficulties).
Is the foreword before or after the table of contents?
In book publishing, the typical order of front matter (pages before the main text) is: title page, copyright page, dedication, table of contents, foreword, preface, introduction. So the foreword usually comes after the table of contents but before any preface or introduction. However, publishers vary and some place the foreword before the table of contents. The key point is that it is part of the front matter — the preliminary material before the book's main body.