go-forward: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low to MediumFormal, Technical, Business
Quick answer
What does “go-forward” mean?
The motion or act of moving ahead.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The motion or act of moving ahead; progression.
Used as a noun to describe positive momentum, advancement in a plan or project, or the specific date/time for scheduling a future event (e.g., in computing or project management).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is similar, though the term appears more frequently in formal American business jargon. The hyphenated form is consistent.
Connotations
Both dialects associate it with strategic planning and decisive action. It can sound somewhat corporate or bureaucratic.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English, particularly in corporate and technology sectors.
Grammar
How to Use “go-forward” in a Sentence
[determiner] + go-forward + [of + noun][adjective] + go-forwardset/establish/agree on + a/the + go-forwardVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “go-forward” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The committee decided to go forward with the proposal.
American English
- We cannot go forward until we get approval.
adverb
British English
- Not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- Rare as adjective. 'Go-forward thinking' is possible but less common than 'forward-thinking'.
American English
- Rare as adjective. Similar to British usage.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to the agreed future strategy or operational plan. 'The board approved the new go-forward for the merger.'
Academic
Rare; might appear in management or organisational studies papers.
Everyday
Very rare; would sound unnatural in casual conversation.
Technical
In computing/project management, denotes a scheduled date/time for a future action. 'We set the go-forward for the software update to next Tuesday.'
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “go-forward”
Strong
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “go-forward”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “go-forward”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We will go-forward the plan'). It is a noun.
- Omitting the hyphen when using it as a compound noun.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'plan' or 'next step' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the hyphenated form 'go-forward' is a noun. The verb phrase is two separate words: 'go forward'.
It is not recommended, as it sounds very formal and corporate. Use 'plan', 'next step', or 'way forward' instead.
They are largely synonymous in business contexts, but 'go-forward' often implies a more formalized or scheduled plan, while 'way forward' is slightly more general.
The hyphen signals it is a single compound noun. Without it, 'go forward' is a verb phrase.
The motion or act of moving ahead.
Go-forward is usually formal, technical, business in register.
Go-forward: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɡəʊ ˈfɔːwəd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɡoʊ ˈfɔːrwərd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The go-forward plan”
- “Establish a go-forward”
- “From this point go-forward”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a sports team's 'go-forward' momentum — they are moving ahead, not looking back.
Conceptual Metaphor
PROGRESS IS FORWARD MOTION. A JOURNEY (with a defined next leg).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'go-forward' MOST appropriately used?