Convey vs Forward vs Relay my transmission vs Send 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)

Send

Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb

Transmit

Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
 ConveyForwardRelay my transmissionSendTransmit
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kənˈveɪ/","/kənˈveɪz/","/kənˈveɪd/","/kənˈveɪɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 /["/ˈfɔːwəd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈfɔːrwərd/"]/🇬🇧 //rɪˈleɪ maɪ trænˈsmɪʃən//🇺🇸 //rɪˈleɪ maɪ trænˈsmɪʃən//🇬🇧 /["/send/","/sendz/","/sent/","/ˈsendɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/send/","/sendz/","/sent/","/ˈsendɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //trænˈsmɪt//🇺🇸 //trænˈsmɪt//
MeaningTo communicate or express something.To send something to a person or place.Send my messageTo make something go to a person or place.To 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.Please send me the documents by the end of the day.The satellite will transmit data back to Earth.
RegisterNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutralNeutral
How commonTop 3,000 (common)Top 1,000 (very common)Beyond 10,000 (less common)Top 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB2A2-A1B2
Part of speechverbadverbverbverb
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 instructionssend a message, send an email, send regards, send information, send a packagetransmit signals, transmit data, transmit information, transmit a message, transmit power
Antonymsmiscommunicate, hide, obscurebackward, reverse-receive, getreceive, 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.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.'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.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.Commonly used in technical contexts, such as electronics, communication, and medicine. Avoid in casual conversation.

See it in real clips

Forward
Relay my transmission
Send

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

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

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

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. Send: Please send me the documents by the end of the day. Transmit: The satellite will transmit data back to Earth.

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

Not always. Convey, Forward, Relay my transmission, Send, 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