Convey vs Forward vs Relay my transmission vs Transmit

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

Convey

Top 3,000 (common)B2verb

Forward

Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb

Relay my transmission

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Transmit

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most common: Forward
 ConveyForwardRelay my transmissionTransmit
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːwəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrwərd/"]/🇬🇧 //rɪˈleɪ maɪ trænˈsmɪʃən//🇺🇸 //rɪˈleɪ maɪ trænˈsmɪʃən//🇬🇧 //trænˈsmɪt//🇺🇸 //trænˈsmɪt//
MeaningTo communicate or express something.To send something to a person or place.Send my messageTo send something from one place to another.
ExampleShe used gestures to convey her feelings when words failed.She decided to move forward with her plans despite the challenges.Please, relay my transmission to the ground team.The satellite will transmit data back to Earth.
RegisterNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2A2-B2
Part of speechverbadverbverb
Collocationsclearly, perfectly, powerfully, can, could, try to, toforward an email, forward a message, forward your request, forward information, forward your detailsrelay a message, relay information, relay signals, relay news, relay instructionstransmit signals, transmit data, transmit information, transmit a message, transmit power
Antonymsmiscommunicate, hide, obscurebackward, reverse-receive, detain
Common mistakesUsing '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 objectConfused with 'relate', meaning to tell a story or connection., Using 'relay' incorrectly as a direct object without specifying what to relay., Misusing 'transmission' for everyday messages instead of technical communications.Confused with 'transmit' vs 'emit'., Using 'transmit' without an object., Mispronouncing the word.
Usage notesUse '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.Use in contexts involving communication or messages. Avoid in casual conversations or humorous contexts.Commonly used in technical contexts, such as electronics, communication, and medicine. Avoid in casual conversation.

See it in real clips

Forward
Relay my transmission
Transmit

Frequently asked questions: Convey vs Forward vs Relay my transmission vs Transmit

What's the difference between Convey, Forward, Relay my transmission, and Transmit?

Convey: To communicate or express something. Forward: To send something to a person or place. Relay my transmission: Send my message Transmit: To send something from one place to another.

Which is more common: Convey, Forward, Relay my transmission, and Transmit?

Forward is the most common in everyday English.

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. Relay my transmission: Please, relay my transmission to the ground team. Transmit: The satellite will transmit data back to Earth.

Can I use Convey, Forward, Relay my transmission, and Transmit interchangeably?

Not always. Convey, Forward, Relay my transmission, and Transmit 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.

Related comparisons