Come forward my dear vs Volunteer

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

Come forward my dear

Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Volunteer

Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
Most common: Volunteer
 Come forward my dearVolunteer
Pronunciation🇬🇧 //kʌm ˈfɔːrwəd maɪ dɪə//🇺🇸 //kʌm ˈfɔrˌwərd maɪ dɪr//🇬🇧 //ˌvɒl.ənˈtɪə//🇺🇸 //ˌvɑl.ənˈtɪr//
MeaningStep up or offer help, my beloved.A person who offers to help or work for free.
ExampleCome forward, my dear, and share your ideas with us.Many volunteers help at the local food bank every weekend.
RegisterNeutralNeutral
How commonBeyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level-B1
Part of speechnoun
Collocationscome forward for help, come forward with information, come forward in lovevolunteer work, volunteer program, volunteer opportunity
Antonyms-non-volunteer, detractor
Common mistakesForgetting to use a comma before 'my dear'., Using 'come' inappropriately with other prepositions., Mispronouncing 'forward' as 'for' instead of 'for-wurd'.Confusing 'volunteer' with 'voluntary' which has a different meaning., Using 'volunteer' as a verb incorrectly instead of the noun form.
Usage notesUse this phrase when encouraging someone to speak or present themselves. It's affectionate and can be used in various contexts, usually positive.Used in contexts relating to charity, community service, or help. Not typically used in formal business contexts for paid positions.

See it in real clips

Come forward my dear
Volunteer

Frequently asked questions: Come forward my dear vs Volunteer

What's the difference between Come forward my dear and Volunteer?

Come forward my dear: Step up or offer help, my beloved. Volunteer: A person who offers to help or work for free.

Which is more common: Come forward my dear and Volunteer?

Volunteer is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Come forward my dear: Come forward, my dear, and share your ideas with us. Volunteer: Many volunteers help at the local food bank every weekend.

Can I use Come forward my dear and Volunteer interchangeably?

Not always. Come forward my dear and Volunteer 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