Forego and Forgo: Definitions and Synonyms
Forego and Forgo – Definition and Part of Speech
Forego and forgo are both verbs but have different meanings:
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Forego: Means to go before or precede something in time or order. It can also mean to omit or abstain from, depending on context.
Example: “The opening act will forego the main performance.”
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Forgo: Means to do without or abstain from something, especially voluntarily.
Example: “She decided to forgo dessert in favor of a healthier lifestyle.”
Both verbs have past tense forms: forewent and forgone, respectively.
Core Synonyms
Here are some synonyms for each word, along with nuances and example sentences:
Forego
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precede | To come before in time or order | “The appetizer preceded the main course.” | Formal, Academic |
| Omit | Exclude from consideration | “She chose to omit her opinion from the discussion.” | Business, Informal |
Forgo
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Give up | To abandon or stop using | “He gave up smoking for his health.” | Casual, Conversational |
| Waive | Voluntarily relinquish a right or claim | “She waived her right to appeal the decision.” | Legal/Official |
| Abstain | Refrain from doing something | “Many guests abstained from alcohol at the event.” | Formal, Academic |
Usage Notes
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Precede is often used in formal contexts where a sequence or order needs to be emphasized. It’s suitable for academic and professional writing.
Example: In an academic paper: “The literature review will precede the methodology section.”
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Omit can be employed in both business and informal settings when discussing what has been left out intentionally.
Example: In a business report: “We omitted non-essential details to focus on key findings.”
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Give up is more conversational and widely used in everyday speech, often implying a decision made after some struggle or effort.
Example: In casual conversation: “I finally gave up trying to fix that old car.”
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Waive is typically found in legal, business, or formal contexts where rights or privileges are being discussed.
Example: In a corporate setting: “The company waived the late fees for loyal customers.”
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Abstain is used in both formal and informal settings, often related to health or ethical decisions.
Example: At a social gathering: “He decided to abstain from participating in the debate due to prior commitments.”
Common Pitfalls
One common confusion arises between forego and forgo, as they sound similar but have distinct meanings. Misusing them can lead to misunderstandings, especially since one refers to temporal order or omission, while the other is about voluntary abstention.
Another pitfall is using give up interchangeably with abstain; while both imply refraining from something, “give up” often carries a sense of resignation after effort, whereas “abstain” suggests a deliberate choice without implying prior struggle.
Final Recap
In summary:
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Forego can mean to precede or omit. Synonyms include precede and omit, depending on whether you are referring to sequence or exclusion.
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Forgo means to abstain from voluntarily, with synonyms like give up, waive, and abstain. Each synonym carries a slight nuance, making them suitable for different contexts.
To effectively expand your vocabulary, practice using these words in various sentences. Consider their connotations and choose the one that best fits the context you’re working with—be it academic writing, business communication, or everyday conversation. This will not only enhance clarity but also demonstrate a nuanced understanding of language.