Forth vs. Fourth: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Published on February 29, 2024
Key Differences
The word Forth is primarily used as an adverb, indicating a movement forward in place or position, often implying progress or advancement. Conversely, Fourth is used either as an adjective or a noun, referring to the ordinal number following the third in a sequence, whether in time, order, or importance.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
In usage, Forth often conveys a sense of moving onward, either in a literal or metaphorical sense, like proceeding from a point in time or space. Fourth, in contrast, is specific to denoting position in an ordered sequence, like in dates, rankings, or in a series of items or events.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Forth can also imply a departure or a setting out towards a destination or goal, embodying an action or movement. Fourth is more static, serving as a descriptor for an item's place in a series, and is often used in contexts such as dates (e.g., July Fourth), rankings, or in dividing a whole into quarters.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
In terms of origin, Forth derives from Old English ‘forð’, which shares roots with ‘fore’, relating to forward movement. Fourth comes from the Old English ‘feorða’, which is directly related to the number four, indicating a sequential position.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
In literary use, Forth is often found in idiomatic expressions (e.g., “forthcoming”, “forthright”) and can suggest a continuation or progression. Fourth, however, is more factual and numerical in its usage, lacking the metaphorical breadth of Forth but clearly indicating a specific, ordinal position.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
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Comparison Chart
Literal Meaning
Forward in place or position
The ordinal number after the third
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Common Associations
Progress, advancement, continuation
Ranking, sequence, division
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Feb 29, 2024
Example Usage
"Step forth into the new world."
"She finished fourth in the race."
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Feb 29, 2024
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Forth and Fourth Definitions
Fourth
Occurring as number four in a sequence.
April is the fourth month of the year.
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Jan 18, 2024
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Fourth
A musical interval spanning four degrees.
The song has a perfect fourth interval.
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Jan 18, 2024
Forth
Out into view
A stranger came forth from the crowd.
Put my ideas forth.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
The ordinal number following the third.
She lives on the fourth floor.
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Jan 18, 2024
Fourth
A tone four degrees above or below a given tone in a diatonic scale.
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Jan 17, 2024
Forth
Out into view; from a particular place or position.
The plants in spring put forth leaves.
The robbers leapt forth from their place of concealment.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
The transmission gear or gear ratio used to produce forward speeds next higher to those of third in a motor vehicle.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
Fourth The Fourth of July; Independence Day. Used with the
Went to a parade on the Fourth.
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Jan 17, 2024
Forth
Forward; onward in time, place, or order; in advance from a given point; on to end; as, from that day forth; one, two, three, and so forth.
Lucas was Paul's companion, at the leastway from the sixteenth of the Acts forth.
From this time forth, I never will speak word.
I repeated the Ave Maria; the inquisitor bad me say forth; I said I was taught no more.
Shumaila Saeed
Jan 17, 2024
Forth
Out, as from a state of concealment, retirement, confinement, nondevelopment, or the like; out into notice or view; as, the plants in spring put forth leaves.
When winter past, and summer scarce begun,Invites them forth to labor in the sun.
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Jan 17, 2024
Forth
Beyond a (certain) boundary; away; abroad; out.
I have no mind of feasting forth to-night.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
(music) A musical interval which spans four degrees of the diatonic scale, for example C to F (C D E F).
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
(informal) To agree with a proposition or statement after it has already been thirded.
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Jan 17, 2024
Forth
From a particular thing or place or position (`forth' is obsolete);
Ran away from the lion
Wanted to get away from there
Sent the children away to boarding school
The teacher waved the children away from the dead animal
Went off to school
They drove off
Go forth and preach
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Jan 17, 2024
Forth
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
One of four equal parts into which one whole may be divided; the quotient of a unit divided by four.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
The interval of two tones and a semitone, embracing four diatonic degrees of the scale; the subdominant of any key.
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
The musical interval between one note and another four notes away from it
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
Coming next after the third and just before the fifth in position or time or degree or magnitude;
The quaternary period of geologic time extends from the end of the tertiary period to the present
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Jan 17, 2024
Fourth
In the fourth place;
Fourthly, you must pay the rent on the first of the month
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Jan 17, 2024
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can 'forth' be combined with other words?
Yes, in phrases like 'forthcoming' or 'forthright'.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Can 'forth' be used metaphorically?
Yes, it often signifies advancement or progress.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Is 'fourth' limited to quantitative use?
Primarily, but it can be qualitative in rankings.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Does 'forth' have different meanings in different contexts?
Yes, it can imply different types of movement or progression.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Is 'fourth' used in specific contexts?
Commonly in rankings, dates, and sequences.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Does 'fourth' have a literal or figurative meaning?
It is mostly used in a literal, numerical sense.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Can 'fourth' indicate parts of a whole?
Yes, as in 'a fourth' of something.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Is 'fourth' ever spelled differently?
No, it's consistently spelled as 'fourth'.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Can 'forth' be used in formal writing?
Yes, it's appropriate in formal and informal contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Does 'forth' imply a specific destination?
Not always, it can be general forward movement.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Does 'forth' have any synonyms?
Words like 'forward' and 'onward' are similar.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Are there any common idioms with 'forth'?
Yes, like 'bring forth' or 'come forth'.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Is 'fourth' ever used metaphorically?
Rarely, as it's mostly a numerical term.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
Are 'forth' and 'fourth' interchangeable?
No, they have distinct meanings and uses.
Shumaila Saeed
Feb 29, 2024
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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