Foreword vs. Forward — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 27, 2024
A foreword is a short introductory section in a book, typically written by someone other than the author; forward refers to a direction towards the front.
Difference Between Foreword and Forward
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A foreword is commonly found at the beginning of a book, providing a perspective or endorsement of the content by someone other than the author, while forward describes the direction or orientation towards the front.
The purpose of a foreword is to add credibility or context to the book’s content, often highlighting the author's background or the significance of the text, whereas forward implies progression or movement in space or time.
A foreword is written by an expert or a well-known figure to introduce the author to a broader audience, on the other hand, forward can be used as an adjective, adverb, or noun in various contexts to indicate advancement or a frontward position.
In terms of function, a foreword does not contribute directly to the narrative of the book but sets a preparatory tone for the reader; forward, however, is a versatile term used to describe physical movement or the continuation of a sequence.
While a foreword is specific to written texts and is a formal piece, forward is a commonly used term in everyday language, applicable in diverse situations like instructions, sports, and communication.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Noun
Adjective, adverb, noun
Usage
Introductory section in a book
Direction, movement, advancement
Typical Contributors
Experts, celebrities
N/A
Context
Literary
General, including sports, business, travel
Relationship to Main Text
Non-contributory to the narrative
Can be integral to direction/instruction
Compare with Definitions
Foreword
Introductory remarks in a book, usually by someone other than the author.
The foreword was written by a Nobel Laureate, adding prestige to the book.
Forward
Towards the front.
He stepped forward to receive his award.
Foreword
Often used to establish credibility or context for the book.
The foreword set the historical context for the fictional story.
Forward
Advancing in a position or place.
He moved the pawn forward on the chessboard.
Foreword
Written by a notable figure to draw in readers.
The foreword by the famous historian attracted more readers to the book.
Forward
Towards a future point in time.
Looking forward to the weekend, they made plans to relax.
Foreword
Appears at the beginning of books.
She read the foreword to get an idea of what the book was about.
Forward
In the direction that one is facing or traveling.
She looked forward into the distance.
Foreword
A preface written by someone other than the main author.
The foreword praised the thorough research behind the novel.
Forward
To send on to a further destination.
The secretary forwarded the emails to the manager.
Foreword
A foreword is a (usually short) piece of writing sometimes placed at the beginning of a book or other piece of literature. Typically written by someone other than the primary author of the work, it often tells of some interaction between the writer of the foreword and the book's primary author or the story the book tells.
Forward
In the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front
He started up the engine and the car moved forward
Rory leaned forward over the table
Foreword
A short introduction to a book, typically by a person other than the author.
Forward
Onward so as to make progress
The signing of the treaty is a big step forward
Foreword
A preface or an introductory note, as for a book, especially by a person other than the author.
Forward
Towards the future; ahead in time
Looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion
Foreword
An introductory section preceding the main text of a book or other document; a preface or introduction.
Forward
Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling
The pilot's forward view
Forward flight
Foreword
A preface.
Forward
Relating to the future
A twelve-month forward forecast
Foreword
A short introductory essay preceding the text of a book
Forward
Progressing towards a successful conclusion
The decision is a forward step
Forward
(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner
I am not usually a forward sort of person
Forward
An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.
Forward
Agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date.
Forward
Send (a letter or email) on to a further destination
I recently received an email forwarded from a friend
My emails were forwarded to a friend
Forward
Help to advance (something); promote
The scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology
Forward
At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.
Forward
Located ahead or in advance
Kept her eye on the forward horizon.
Forward
Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
Forward
(Sports) Advancing toward an opponent's goal.
Forward
Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.
Forward
Ardently inclined; eager.
Forward
Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold
A forward child.
Forward
Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.
Forward
Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.
Forward
Exceptionally advanced; precocious.
Forward
Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.
Forward
Toward or tending to the front; frontward
Step forward.
Forward
Into consideration
Put forward a new proposal.
Forward
In or toward the future
Looking forward to seeing you.
Forward
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.
Forward
In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.
Forward
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.
Forward
A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
Forward
The position played by such a person.
Forward
To send on to a subsequent destination or address.
Forward
Situated toward or at the front of something.
The fire was confined to the forward portion of the store.
The forward gun in a ship, the forward ship in a fleet
Forward
(of troops, guns etc.) Situated toward or near the enemy lines.
The forward battalion took a hammering.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction in which someone or something is facing.
My forward vision is fine, but my peripheral vision is poor.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
Forward
(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.
Forward
Having the usual order or sequence.
The front of the fire engine has backward writing, that can be read in a mirror, as well as forward writing.
Forward
Expected or scheduled to take place in the future.
The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings.
The price for forward delivery is presently higher than the spot price.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.
These students are very forward in their learning.
The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring.
Forward
Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.
She is a very forward young lady, not afraid to speak her mind.
Forward
(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.
Forward
At, near or towards the front of something.
She was sitting well forward in the railway carriage.
The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward.
Forward
(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
Forward
In the direction in which someone or something is facing.
I leant forward to get a better look.
The grandfather clock toppled forward and crashed to the ground.
Forward
In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively; onwards.
After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward.
Wind the film forward a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour tonight!
We need to move this project forward.
Forward
So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
Forward
In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
Forward
Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
Forward
To an earlier point in time. See also bring forward.
The meeting has been moved forward an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 2 o'clock.
Forward
(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
Forward
(transitive) To send (a letter, email etc.) on to a third party.
I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone.
Forward
To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.
Forward
(rugby) One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).
Forward
(soccer) A player on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.
Forward
(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.
Forward
(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.
Forward
(nautical) The front part of a vessel.
Forward
(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.
Forward
(finance) A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the future; distinguished from a futures contract in that the latter is standardized and traded on an exchange.
Forward contract
Forward
Misspelling of foreword.
Forward
Agreement; covenant.
Forward
An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.
Forward
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.
Forward
Near, or at the fore part; in advance of something else; as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a fleet.
Forward
Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense, overready; too hasty.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.
Forward
Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years.
I have known men disagreeably forward from their shyness.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; as, the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a forward spring.
The most forward budIs eaten by the canker ere it blow.
Forward
To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant; to forward one in improvement.
Forward
To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
Forward
The person who plays the position of forward on a basketball team
Forward
A position on a basketball team
Forward
Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail
Forward
At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion
Forward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
Forward
Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline
Forward
Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear
Forward
Moving forward
Forward
Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship
Forward
Situated in the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
Forward
At or to or toward the front;
He faced forward
Step forward
She practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine
Forward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
Forward
Toward the future; forward in time;
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
Forward
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
Forward
Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments
Common Curiosities
What is a foreword in a book?
A foreword is an introductory section of a book, usually written by someone other than the author, to provide a perspective or endorsement.
How is 'forward' used in a sentence?
"Forward" can be used to describe direction or advancement, e.g., "She moved forward in the line."
How does a foreword differ from an introduction?
A foreword is an endorsement or comment by someone other than the author and does not usually discuss the subject matter in detail, whereas an introduction is written by the author and directly addresses the content and purpose of the book.
Who typically writes a foreword?
A foreword is typically written by someone who is an expert or celebrity, known to the reader, providing credibility to the author's work.
Can 'forward' be used in a non-physical context?
Yes, "forward" can also refer to moving ahead in terms of plans or ideas, e.g., "They discussed moving the project forward."
Is a foreword always necessary in a book?
No, a foreword is not always necessary; it is used when additional context or endorsement from a notable person can benefit the book's reception or understanding.
What distinguishes a foreword from a preface?
A foreword is written by someone other than the author to give an external perspective, while a preface is written by the author to discuss the book's background directly.
What does it mean to forward an email?
To forward an email means to send a received email to another recipient, essentially sharing the original message with additional people.
In what contexts might the term 'forward' be considered a technical term?
In sports, "forward" refers to an attacking player positioned towards the opponent's goal; in business, it can relate to forward contracts or projections.
Why is a foreword important in a book?
A foreword adds value to a book by providing insights from a respected figure, thereby enhancing the reader’s engagement and setting expectations for the content.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
