Forgo or Forego: Which Is Correct?

Updated 2026-10-03 · Which One Is Correct editorial team

Quick answer: Both forgo and forego are correct, but they have different meanings. Forego means to go before or precede, while forgo means to do without or give up something. Knowing the distinction helps you write clearly and avoid confusion in both formal and casual communication.

The Short Answer

Forgo is the standard modern spelling for giving up something, while forego is technically correct when meaning to precede, though it is rarely used in that sense today.

Confusion arises because forgo is formed by dropping the silent e from forego, and many people assume the original spelling is always the right one regardless of meaning.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Form	Status	Use it when
forgo	Standard	You want to say you are choosing to do without something.
forego	Traditional	You are referring to something that came before in time or order.
forgo	Preferred	You are writing for a general modern audience.
forego	Rare	You are quoting older texts or emphasizing chronological precedence.

Correct Example Sentences

She decided to forgo dessert to save calories for the marathon.
Please forgo using your phone during the performance.
The company chose to forgo annual bonuses this fiscal year.
You do not need to forgo comfort to save money.
He agreed to forgo his turn at the wheel.
In the past, we had to forgo many modern conveniences.
Tourists often forgo guides to explore the city alone.
I will forgo the meeting if I finish early.
The team decided to forgo practice due to rain.
She plans to forgo coffee to improve her sleep.

Common Mistakes and Fixes

I decided to forego eating lunch today.: I decided to forgo eating lunch today.
You should forego the extra sugar in your tea.: You should forgo the extra sugar in your tea.
We chose to forego the expensive dinner option.: We chose to forgo the expensive dinner option.
He had to forego his vacation for work.: He had to forgo his vacation for work.
Please forego signing the document until later.: Please forgo signing the document until later.
They agreed to forego the bonus this year.: They agreed to forgo the bonus this year.

A Quick Test You Can Use

Ask yourself if you are describing an act of sacrifice or precedence. If you mean to give up or skip something, use forgo. If you are talking about something that came before in a sequence, use forego, though this usage is uncommon.

Related Word Pairs

affect vs effect: Affect is usually a verb meaning to influence; effect is usually a noun meaning result.
loose vs lose: Loose means not tight; lose means to be deprived of something.
your vs you're: Your shows possession; you're is a contraction of you are.
then vs than: Then refers to time or sequence; than is used for comparisons.
complement vs compliment: Complement completes something; compliment praises someone.

More Example Sentences

The hikers decided to forgo the heavy backpacks to move faster.
You should forego the urge to check your email during the meeting.
Many travelers forego airport transfers to save on costs.
I will forgo the opening ceremony if I am still sleeping.
Please forego using flash photography inside the museum.
The committee chose to forgo the traditional holiday party.
She plans to forego makeup for a more natural look.
We agreed to forgo dessert so we could fit in the appetizers.
He had to forego his weekend plans to cover the night shift.
It is wise to forgo impulse buys when shopping for groceries.

Quick Practice

I decided to the extra toppings on my pizza.

forego

We will the meeting if no one attends.

forgo

She chose to sleep to finish her project.

forego

Please the use of your phone during the film.

forgo

He will the bonus to donate it to charity.

forego

They decided to the tour guide and explore alone.

forgo

Frequently Asked Questions

Is forgo the same as forego?

No, they have different meanings. Forgo means to give up or do without something, while forego technically means to go before or precede, though this usage is rare in modern English.

Why do people mix up forgo and forego?

The confusion stems from spelling. Forgo is derived from forego by dropping the silent e, leading many to assume the longer spelling is always correct regardless of the intended meaning.

Which spelling is preferred in business writing?

Forgo is the preferred spelling when you mean to give up or omit something. It is widely accepted in modern business contexts and avoids the ambiguity associated with the older spelling.

Can I use forego to mean give up?

While some dictionaries list this as an accepted variant, using forego to mean give up is often considered incorrect or outdated. It is safer to use forgo for clarity and precision.