Convey vs Forward

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Convey

Top 3,000 (common) B2 verb

Forward

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 adverb

Most common: Forward

	Convey	Forward
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːwəd/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrwərd/"]/
Meaning	To communicate or express something.	To send something to a person or place.
Example	She used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed.	She decided to move forward with her plans despite the challenges.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 3,000 (common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	B2	A2
Part of speech	verb	adverb
Collocations	clearly, perfectly, powerfully, can, could, try to, to	forward an email, forward a message, forward your request, forward information, forward your details
Antonyms	miscommunicate, hide, obscure	backward, reverse
Common mistakes	Using 'convey' without an object (e.g., saying 'I convey' without specifying what)., Confusing it with 'conveyer' which refers to a type of belt., Mixing up the meaning with 'conveying' as in carrying physical items.	Confused with 'foward' (spelling mistake), Using 'forward' in the wrong tense (e.g., saying 'I forward' instead of 'I will forward'), Misusing intransitively, as 'forward' usually needs an object
Usage notes	Use 'convey' when you want to express an idea or feeling. It's appropriate in both spoken and written language, but might sound a bit formal in everyday conversation.	Use 'forward' when you send emails or messages to someone else. It's appropriate in both professional and casual contexts, but be careful not to use it in overly formal writing.

See it in real clips

House Of Cards › S1 E1

and we are moving forward with it.

Agent Carter › S1 E1

Rose, forward all calls to the briefing room.

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

Come forward, my dear.

House Of Cards › S1 E1

and we are moving forward with it.

Agent Carter › S1 E1

Rose, forward all calls to the briefing room.

Forward

Frequently asked questions: Convey vs Forward

What's the difference between Convey and Forward?

Convey: To communicate or express something. Forward: To send something to a person or place.

Which is more common: Convey and Forward?

Forward is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Convey and Forward?

Convey is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Convey and Forward the same CEFR level?

Convey: B2, Forward: A2 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Convey and Forward?

Convey: verb, Forward: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Convey: She used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed. Forward: She decided to move forward with her plans despite the challenges.

Can I use Convey and Forward interchangeably?

Not always. Convey and Forward are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.