How to spell forward
A Year 3 and 4 statutory spelling word, with the tricky part explained and a tip that makes it stick.
The answer
forward
F-O-R-W-A-R-D
The part to watch: for + ward, with the r you hardly hear. The underlined letters are the ones most people get wrong.
The tricky part
Forward is for + ward. Quick speech drops the r, so people write "foward". The end is ward, not word.
Forward is one of the words on the Year 3 and 4 list with a letter you hardly hear. When we speak quickly, a letter or a whole beat gets swallowed. Say the word slowly, the way it is spelt, so every letter has a sound.
Common mistakes with forward
- Wrong: fowardRight: forward
- Wrong: forwordRight: forward
A way to remember it
Forward and backward both end with ward, the way you are heading.
Forward in syllables
for · ward
Forward has 2 syllables. Say each one as you write it.
In a sentence
Take one step forward.
Forward on the statutory list
Forward is on the Year 3 and 4 statutory word list in the national curriculum for England, printed there as forward(s). Children are taught these words in Years 3 and 4, when they are 7 to 9.
From the same entry
Test yourself
A short spelling test that starts with forward, then nine more words from the Year 3 and 4 list, read aloud. It works in your browser.
More words with a letter you hardly hear
These words from the Year 3 and 4 list share the same pattern as forward.
More words
Questions parents ask
What is the difference between forward and foreword?
Forward means towards the front. A foreword is a short introduction at the start of a book: fore, meaning before, + word.
Spelling is one part of the picture
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