Reforward vs. Re Forward – Which is Correct?
“Reforward” is the standard one-word spelling for sending an email, message, or document forward again. “Re forward” is generally an incorrect spacing of the verb, although “re-forward” may appear as a less common hyphenated variant. In professional writing, choose “reforward” and use “forward again” when clarity matters most to readers.
Reforward or Re Forward – Which is Correct?
Reforward is the standard spelling when it means to forward something again. It functions as a verb, especially in email, messaging, workplace, and technical contexts.
Re forward is generally not standard English as a two-word verb. The error usually results from treating re- as a separate word rather than as a prefix meaning “again.” A hyphenated form, re-forward, may occasionally be used for readability, but the unhyphenated form reforward is usually the best choice.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
Use the prefix test: if “re-” means “again,” attach it directly to the verb. Since reforward means “forward again,” write it as one word. Compare resend, reread, and reopen; none is normally written with a space after re-.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| reforward | Verb | To forward something again | Please reforward the original invoice. |
| re forward | Nonstandard verb spelling | Usually an incorrectly spaced form of reforward | Please reforward the message, not “re forward” it. |
How to Use Reforward
Reforward means to send, transmit, or direct something forward for a second time. It is most common in digital communication, including email, messaging platforms, document management systems, and customer-support software.
The word is grammatically correct but can sound somewhat technical or businesslike. In casual conversation, forward it again may sound more natural. In professional writing, reforward is concise and clear when the context already involves forwarding.
Example 1: Could you reforward the contract to the legal department?
Example 2: I did not receive the attachment, so please reforward the email.
Example 3: The support representative asked the customer to reforward the confirmation message.
Etymology of the Word Reforward
Reforward combines the prefix re-, meaning “again” or “back,” with the verb forward. The verb forward originally referred to moving something toward the front or ahead. With the growth of electronic mail, it also came to mean sending a received message to another recipient. Reforward developed naturally from that digital communication sense.
Related Concepts
Understanding prefixes and compound verbs makes it easier to decide whether a phrase should be written as one word, two words, or with a hyphen.
- Prefixes: A prefix is added to the beginning of a word to modify its meaning. The prefix re- commonly means “again,” as in resend, recheck, and reopen.
- Compound verbs: Compound verbs combine multiple elements into a single verb or established verbal expression. Many verbs formed with re- are written as one word.
- Email terminology: Words such as forward, reply, resend, and reforward describe common actions in electronic communication.
- Hyphenation: A hyphen can occasionally improve readability in a newly formed or potentially confusing word. However, reforward is generally clearer and more conventional than re-forward.
Examples from Media and Literature
The idea expressed by reforward appears frequently in workplace dramas, newsrooms, novels, and digital communication scenes. These examples show how the word works in realistic contexts:
- Workplace drama: A manager discovers that an executive missed an important attachment and says, “Please reforward the complete thread before the meeting.”
- Newsroom setting: An editor asks a reporter to reforward a source’s email so the legal team can review the original timestamps.
- Contemporary fiction: A character reforwarding a private message can advance the plot by revealing information to an unintended recipient.
- Customer-service communication: A support agent may request that a customer reforward a receipt or confirmation email.
- Office correspondence: A colleague might write, “I am reforwarding the document below in case the first message was filtered.”
Reforward Synonyms
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| forward again | Send the same message or document forward another time. |
| resend | Send something again, whether or not it was previously forwarded. |
| send on again | Pass a message or document to another recipient once more. |
| redirect | Send information toward a different person, address, or destination. |
| transmit again | Send data or information another time, usually in a technical context. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “reforward” one word?
Yes. Reforward is generally written as one word when it means to forward an email, message, or document again.
Question 2: Is “re forward” grammatically correct?
No. “Re forward” is generally an incorrectly spaced form of reforward. Use reforward or the clearer phrase forward again.
Question 3: Can I write “re-forward” with a hyphen?
A hyphenated form may occasionally be used to make the meaning immediately clear, particularly with a newly formed technical verb. However, reforward is normally the preferred spelling.
Question 4: Is “reforward” formal or informal?
It is neutral to moderately formal and is especially common in workplace, technical, and email contexts. In casual writing, “forward it again” may sound more conversational.
Conclusion
Reforward is the correct standard spelling for sending an email, message, or document forward again. Re forward is generally a spacing error, while re-forward is an occasional hyphenated alternative. Pro Tip: In professional communication, use reforward or forward again to demonstrate accuracy and maintain a polished reputation.
