Forth or Fourth?

Our Story

Search...

Forth or Fourth?

  • "Forth" means "forward" or "onward." For example:
    • Come forth.
    • From here on forth, I shall demand better service.
    • You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth. (Author Khalil Gibran)
    • "Fourth" relates to the number four (e.g., fourth place). For example:
      • Mine is the fourth house on the left.
      • Memory is the fourth dimension to any landscape. (Author Janet Fitch)
    forth or fourth?
    Got it? Take a quick test.

    More about "Forth" and "Fourth"

    The words fourth and forth are different words. They are not different spellings under US and UK writing conventions.

    Forth

    The word forth" (without "u") is an adverb meaning "forward" or "onward" (e.g., from this day forth, bring forth, go forth).

    Example sentences with "forth":
    • Put a cherry on top the first cake, then the second, and so forth.
      • (Here, "and so forth" means "and so forward," i.e., more of the same.)
    • I need to be present at the meeting to put my ideas forth.
      • (Here, "to put my ideas forth" means "to bring my ideas to the fore.")

    Fourth

    The word "fourth" (with "u") relates to the number four. It can be a noun (e.g., one fourth, remove the fourth) or an adjective (e.g., the fourth car, the fourth person).
    Four = Fourth


    The word "fourth" (with "u") relates to the number four.

    Forth = Forward

    The word "forth" shares the same first three letters as "forward."

    Forty Not Fourty

    Somewhat oddly, the word "forty" (40), which obviously relates to the number four, is not spelled with a "u."
    • I can't believe I'm fourty!
    Ready for the Test?
    Here is a confirmatory test for this lesson.

    This test can also be:
    • Edited (i.e., you can delete questions and play with the order of the questions).
    • Printed to create a handout.
    • Sent electronically to friends or students.

    Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

    • Do you disagree with something on this page?
    • Did you spot a typo?
    Please tell us using this form.

    See Also

    adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are adjectives? What are adverbs? What are nouns? List of easily confused words