Forward vs Send

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

Forward

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 adverb

Send

Top 1,000 (very common) A1 verb

	Forward	Send
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːwəd/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrwərd/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/send/","/sendz/","/sent/","/ˈsendɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/send/","/sendz/","/sent/","/ˈsendɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To send something to a person or place.	To make something go to a person or place.
Example	She decided to move forward with her plans despite the challenges.	Please send me the documents by the end of the day.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A2	A1
Part of speech	adverb	verb
Collocations	forward an email, forward a message, forward your request, forward information, forward your details	send a message, send an email, send regards, send information, send a package
Antonyms	backward, reverse	receive, get
Common mistakes	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	Confusing 'send' with 'send out' which has a different usage., Incorrect word order in sentences like 'I send the email to you.', Using 'send' without an object, e.g., 'I will send.'
Usage notes	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 'send' when talking about delivering messages, packages, or information. It's suitable for formal and informal situations but may not be appropriate in academic contexts without a clear subject.

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

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

Send him in.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

send you on your way.

Agatha Christies Poirot › S1 E1

They send me one guinea, huh?

Game Of Thrones › S1 E1

Send him in.

A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms › S1 E1

send you on your way.

Send

Frequently asked questions: Forward vs Send

What's the difference between Forward and Send?

Forward: To send something to a person or place. Send: To make something go to a person or place.

Which is more advanced: Forward and Send?

Forward is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.

Are Forward and Send the same CEFR level?

Forward: A2, Send: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Forward and Send?

Forward: adverb, Send: verb.

Can you show an example of each?

Forward: She decided to move forward with her plans despite the challenges. Send: Please send me the documents by the end of the day.

Can I use Forward and Send interchangeably?

Not always. Forward and Send 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.