Phrasal verbs are essential components of fluent English, combining verbs with prepositions or adverbs to create expressions with meanings that often differ from the original verb. The adverb “forward” adds dynamic dimensions to verbs, typically relating to advancement, progress, or directional movement.

100 phrasal verbs with "forward": complete guide with examples

This comprehensive list of 100 phrasal verbs with “forward” will enhance your English vocabulary and help you express yourself more naturally and precisely.

1-10: Movement and direction

Move forward

To advance in position or progress.

“The project is finally moving forward after months of delays.”

Step forward

To advance by taking a step; also used when volunteering.

“He stepped forward to accept the award.”

“Who will step forward to lead this initiative?”

Walk forward

To advance by walking.

“She walked forward to greet the guests.”

Run forward

To advance quickly by running.

“The children ran forward to meet their father.”

Rush forward

To move ahead hastily or eagerly.

“Fans rushed forward when the celebrity appeared.”

Push forward

To advance despite difficulties.

“We need to push forward with the project despite the setbacks.”

Drive forward

To advance or propel something ahead.

“Her determination drove the campaign forward.”

Surge forward

To move suddenly and forcefully ahead.

“The crowd surged forward when the doors opened.”

Spring forward

To leap ahead; also refers to adjusting clocks for daylight saving time.

“He sprang forward to catch the falling vase.”

“Don’t forget to spring forward an hour this weekend.”

Bound forward

To move ahead with leaps.

“The dog bounded forward to greet its owner.”

11-20: Progression and advancement

Come forward

To present oneself, often with information.

“Witnesses were asked to come forward with any information.”

Go forward

To proceed with plans or actions.

“The committee decided to go forward with the proposal.”

Carry forward

To continue with something; in accounting, to transfer a sum to the next period.

“We’ll carry forward the discussion at our next meeting.”

“The surplus will be carried forward to next year’s budget.”

Bring forward

To present for consideration; to advance to an earlier time.

“She brought forward several excellent ideas.”

“The meeting has been brought forward to 2 PM.”

Put forward

To propose or suggest.

“He put forward a solution to the problem.”

Press forward

To continue with determination.

“Despite criticism, the team pressed forward with their original plan.”

Forge forward

To advance with determination despite difficulties.

“The explorers forged forward through the dense jungle.”

Soldier forward

To continue with resolve despite challenges.

“We must soldier forward despite the setbacks.”

Charge forward

To move ahead forcefully.

“The cavalry charged forward into battle.”

March forward

To advance steadily and determinedly.

“The company continues to march forward with its expansion plans.”

21-30: Communication and information

Pass forward

To transmit or hand over to someone ahead.

“Please pass the document forward to the front row.”

Send forward

To dispatch ahead.

“The commander sent scouts forward to reconnoiter.”

Forward

To send correspondence on to another recipient.

“Please forward this email to the entire department.”

Put forward

To propose or suggest.

“The committee put forward several recommendations.”

Bring forward

To introduce or present for consideration.

“She brought forward compelling evidence during the trial.”

Call forward

To summon someone to come to the front.

“The winner was called forward to accept the prize.”

Relay forward

To transmit information onward.

“Please relay this message forward to headquarters.”

Channel forward

To direct information or resources toward a specific destination.

“All complaints are channeled forward to the customer service department.”

Echo forward

To repeat information for those ahead to hear.

“In the days before amplification, people would echo messages forward through the crowd.”

Cascade forward

To transmit information in sequence to multiple recipients.

“The announcement was cascaded forward through all levels of management.”

31-40: Planning and strategy

Look forward

To anticipate with pleasure.

“I’m looking forward to seeing you next week.”

Think forward

To consider future implications.

“We need to think forward about the long-term consequences of this decision.”

Plan forward

To make arrangements for the future.

“The company is planning forward for the next five years.”

Project forward

To estimate or predict future trends based on current data.

“When we project these figures forward, we can expect significant growth.”

See forward

To envision future developments.

“It’s hard to see forward beyond the current crisis.”

Work forward

To develop plans moving from the present toward the future.

“Let’s work forward from today’s situation to where we want to be in five years.”

Map forward

To chart a course for future actions.

“The strategic team mapped forward several possible scenarios.”

Chart forward

To plan a future course or direction.

“The new CEO is charting forward a bold new direction for the company.”

Vision forward

To create an image of future possibilities.

“The leadership team is visioning forward to the next decade of innovation.”

Strategize forward

To plan future tactics and approaches.

“We need to strategize forward for the upcoming negotiations.”

41-50: Business and finance

Invest forward

To allocate resources for future returns.

“The company decided to invest forward in new technologies.”

Balance forward

To carry over an account balance to the next period.

“The remaining funds will balance forward to next month’s budget.”

Carry forward

To transfer an amount to the next accounting period.

“We’ll carry forward the unused portion of the budget.”

Book forward

To record future commitments or reservations.

“We’re fully booked forward for the next three months.”

Contract forward

To arrange future agreements.

“The supplier contracted forward to lock in current prices.”

Budget forward

To plan financial allocations for future periods.

“We’re budgeting forward for expected increases in material costs.”

Project forward

To forecast financial results based on current trends.

“When we project revenues forward, we expect 15% growth.”

Account forward

To make financial provisions for future expenses.

“The company is accounting forward for anticipated tax changes.”

Roll forward

To update financial projections or models to a future date.

“We need to roll the forecast forward to include the next quarter.”

Factor forward

To include future considerations in current calculations.

“We should factor forward the impact of inflation.”

51-60: Time and scheduling

Move forward

To reschedule to an earlier time.

“The meeting has been moved forward to 2 PM.”

Bring forward

To advance to an earlier date.

“The deadline has been brought forward by two weeks.”

Push forward

To advance or reschedule something earlier.

“We pushed the launch date forward to beat our competitors.”

Fast forward

To advance rapidly through time; to speed up a recording.

“Let’s fast forward through this section of the movie.”

or:

“I wish I could fast forward through this difficult period.”

Jump forward

To advance suddenly to a later point in time.

“The story jumps forward ten years in the final chapter.”

Skip forward

To omit intermediate steps and move to a later point.

“Let’s skip forward to the main issue.”

Schedule forward

To plan future appointments or events.

“We’re scheduling forward for the entire next quarter.”

Date forward

To mark with a future date.

“The check was dated forward to next month.”

Set forward

To advance clocks (especially for daylight saving time).

“Remember to set your clocks forward an hour tonight.”

Count forward

To calculate future dates by adding days/weeks.

“Count forward 30 days from today to find the due date.”

61-70: Technology and systems

Feed forward

To supply information to a future process; a type of control system.

“This algorithm uses feed forward mechanisms to predict outcomes.”

Loop forward

To advance to the next iteration in a sequence.

“The program loops forward through each data entry.”

Cycle forward

To move to the next item in a sequence.

“Press the button to cycle forward through the menu options.”

Link forward

To create a connection to subsequent content.

“This webpage links forward to the next article in the series.”

Chain forward

To connect processes in sequential order.

“The system chains forward multiple verification steps.”

Path forward

To establish a route for future development.

“The developers mapped a path forward for the software upgrades.”

Port forward

To redirect network traffic to a specific port.

“You’ll need to port forward these connections through your router.”

Propagate forward

To transmit signals or data onward.

“The changes propagate forward through the entire system.”

Cascade forward

To trigger a sequence of subsequent actions.

“A single command cascades forward through multiple subsystems.”

Scale forward

To expand a system to accommodate future growth.

“We designed the platform to scale forward as user numbers increase.”

71-80: Personal development and progress

Grow forward

To develop and improve over time.

“After the setback, she was determined to grow forward from the experience.”

Build forward

To develop on existing foundations.

“We should build forward on what we’ve already accomplished.”

Move forward

To progress past difficulties or challenges.

“It’s time to move forward after the disappointment.”

Push forward

To advance oneself despite obstacles.

“Despite the rejection, he pushed forward with his career goals.”

Stretch forward

To extend oneself toward new goals.

“She’s stretching forward into areas outside her comfort zone.”

Reach forward

To extend toward future aspirations.

“He’s reaching forward to grasp new opportunities.”

Look forward

To anticipate future events positively.

“I’m looking forward to the new challenges in my role.”

Lean forward

To show eagerness or readiness for what’s next.

“She’s leaning forward into her new responsibilities.”

Stride forward

To advance confidently.

“After the promotion, he strode forward with new confidence.”

Journey forward

To progress through life experiences.

“We all journey forward in our own unique ways.”

81-90: Sports and performance

Surge forward

To make a sudden advance in position or score.

“The runner surged forward in the final lap.”

Break forward

To advance suddenly, especially in team sports.

“The winger broke forward down the field.”

Spring forward

To move ahead suddenly with energy.

“The boxer sprang forward with a powerful jab.”

Drive forward

To advance with power, especially in team sports.

“The rugby team drove forward toward the try line.”

Push forward

To advance aggressively in position.

“The team pushed forward in search of an equalizing goal.”

Move forward

To advance one’s position.

“The chess player moved her knight forward.”

Charge forward

To advance rapidly and forcefully.

“The basketball player charged forward toward the basket.”

Press forward

To advance aggressively against opposition.

“The team continued to press forward despite being behind.”

Leap forward

To make a sudden advance in position or performance.

“Her training has helped her leap forward in her abilities.”

Race forward

To advance rapidly to gain an advantage.

“The cyclist raced forward to join the leading pack.”

91-100: Miscellaneous uses

Spiral forward

To advance in an expanding circular motion.

“The discussion spiraled forward into unexpected areas.”

Ripple forward

To advance with spreading effects.

“The consequences of the decision rippled forward through generations.”

Edge forward

To advance gradually and cautiously.

“She edged forward through the crowded room.”

Hurtle forward

To move forward with great speed.

“The train hurtled forward through the night.”

Propel forward

To drive or push onward.

“His ambition propelled him forward in his career.”

Nudge forward

To advance slightly with gentle pressure.

“The negotiation was nudged forward by the mediator’s suggestion.”

Catapult forward

To advance suddenly and dramatically.

“The unexpected discovery catapulted the research forward.”

Rocket forward

To advance with extreme speed.

“Sales rocketed forward after the product was featured on television.”

Inch forward

To advance very slowly and gradually.

“The traffic inched forward during rush hour.”

Pay forward

To repay a kindness to someone other than the original benefactor.

“Instead of paying me back, pay it forward to someone else in need.”


Mastering phrasal verbs with “forward” significantly enhances your ability to express movement, progress, advancement, and future-oriented actions in English. These versatile combinations help you communicate with greater precision and fluency across many contexts, from business to personal development. Practice incorporating these phrasal verbs into your daily conversations and writing to become more comfortable with their various meanings and applications.

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