What is forgo? Pronunciation and usage in English

forgo means . Learn how to pronounce and use forgo through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of forgo

forgoverb

/fɔːˈɡəʊ//fɔːrˈɡəʊ/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "forgo." It can be a tricky one for English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. Syllables: The word is divided into two syllables:

  • for - pronounced like "fər" (rhymes with "fur")
  • go - pronounced like "goh"

2. Detailed Pronunciation:

  • "for": The "f" is pronounced as a regular "f." The "or" sounds like the "fur" vowel. It's a short, open "uh" sound, like in "fur" or "cur."
  • "go": This is a simple "goh" sound – as in the word "go."

3. Putting it together: Say it smoothly: "fər-goh" (think of it as "fur-goh")

Here's a helpful breakdown of the sounds:

  • ˈfɔːr.ɡoʊ (This is the IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet – a standard way to represent sounds. You probably won't need to use this regularly, but it's helpful for precise pronunciation.)

Resources for Hearing it:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you a beginner English learner, or do you have some experience?

Usage and examples with the word forgo in English

Let's break down how to use the word "forgo." It's a slightly more formal word than simply "give up," and it implies a deliberate act of abstaining from something you desire.

1. Meaning:

"Forgo" means to voluntarily give up or abstain from something, often something desirable. It suggests a conscious choice to not have or do something.

2. Parts of Speech:

  • Verb: This is the most common way to use "forgo." It describes an action – you forgo something.

3. How to Use It – Examples:

  • Simple Abstinence:

    • "I forgo dessert every night to stick to my diet." (I willingly give up dessert.)
    • "She forgoes the comfort of her own home in order to travel the world." (She deliberately chooses not to stay home.)

  • Giving Up a Pleasure:

    • "He forgo his usual Saturday afternoon football game to study." (He chose not to play football.)
    • "To maintain a healthy lifestyle, she forgoes sugary drinks." (She actively avoids sugary drinks.)

  • Deferring or Postponing: (This is a slightly nuanced use, but quite common)

    • “The company decided to forgo the expansion project until next year.” (They chose not to do the project now, postponing it.)
    • “We forgo immediate gratification for the sake of long-term goals.” (We are choosing to delay pleasure for the benefit of the future.)

  • Formal Contexts: You'll often see "forgo" in formal writing, legal documents, or speeches.

4. Synonyms (Words with similar meanings):

  • Give up
  • Abstain from
  • Defer
  • Sacrifice
  • Relinquish
  • Pass up

5. Key Differences Compared to "Give Up":

Feature Forgo Give Up
Formality More formal Less formal
Implied Choice Stronger emphasis on a deliberate choice Can be more passive
Suggests Desire Often implies a desire for what is being given up Doesn't always imply a desire

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

  • Overuse: "Forgo" can sound a bit stilted if used too frequently. Choose simpler words when possible.
  • Incorrect Context: Make sure the context fits the more deliberate and conscious nature of "forgo."

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of writing are you working on? (e.g., a personal journal, a formal essay, a creative story?)
  • Can you provide a sentence or context where you're considering using "forgo"? I can give you specific feedback on whether it's the best word choice.

Synonyms for the word forgo

Practice with vocabulary forgo

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. To meet the project deadline, the team decided to ______ their weekend plans.
  2. In pursuit of a minimalist lifestyle, she chose to ______ many material possessions.
  3. Due to unforeseen technical issues, the product launch will be ______ until next quarter.
  4. The new company policy requires employees to ______ from discussing sensitive client information outside official channels.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After careful consideration, the CEO decided to ______ the opportunity to expand into that volatile market due to high risks. A) pursue B) embrace C) forgo D) seize

  2. Given the budget constraints, the department had to ______ several planned expenditures for the upcoming fiscal year. (Choose all that apply) A) approve B) sanction C) abandon D) forgo E) relinquish

  3. Many entrepreneurs are willing to ______ immediate profits in order to achieve long-term market dominance. (Choose all that apply) A) pursue B) sacrifice C) defer D) forgo E) gain

  4. The university decided to ______ the late submission penalty for students affected by the system outage. A) enforce B) levy C) waive D) impose E) collect

  5. To avoid overwhelming the support staff, the IT department chose to ______ some non-critical system updates until after the peak season. A) expedite B) defer C) advance D) implement E) instigate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company decided not to pursue the merger due to antitrust concerns.
  2. He gave up his chance to travel the world to focus on his startup.
  3. The board decided to put off the discussion about executive compensation until the next meeting.

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. forgo
  2. forgo
  3. postponed
  4. abstain

Exercise 2:

  1. C) forgo
  2. D) forgo, E) relinquish
  3. B) sacrifice, D) forgo
  4. C) waive
  5. B) defer

Exercise 3:

  1. The company chose to forgo the merger due to antitrust concerns.
  2. He decided to forgo the opportunity to travel the world to focus on his startup.
  3. The board decided to postpone the discussion about executive compensation until the next meeting.

Comment ()