What is the Past Tense of the Verb "Forgo"?

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by George Costanza, Jul 18, 2012.

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  1. Jul 18, 2012 #1
    George Costanza
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    What is the past tense of the verb, "forgo"? The present/future tense is easy: "I am forgoing dessert, thank you" or "I intend to forgo dessert at dinner tonight." But what is the PAST tense of the verb, "forgo"?

    "Last night at dinner I (?) dessert." Forgoed? Forwent? Neither of those seem correct. So what IS it?

    Note: Do not confuse "forgo" (to do without) with "forego" (to precede or go ahead of). We are only talking about the verb, "forgo" here.
     
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  2. Jul 18, 2012 #2
    Liability
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    avoidance.
     
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  3. Jul 18, 2012 #3
    jillian
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  4. Jul 18, 2012 #4
    Valerie
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    Who skips dessert...? :eusa_eh: lol





    When you aren't sure how to articulate the proper tense, it is usually best to communicate by choosing a different way of saying the same thing... (such as I skipped dessert.)


    Jill is right, though... it's forewent. Sounds awkward to say even though it's correct.

    Forewent | Define Forewent at Dictionary.com
     
  5. Jul 18, 2012 #5
    Care4all
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    foregone?
     
  6. Jul 18, 2012 #6
    Care4all
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    ahhh forwent
     
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  7. Jul 18, 2012 #7
    Valerie
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    The answer of forewent is a foregone conclusion. :)
     
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  8. Jul 18, 2012 #8
    George Costanza
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    You win the prize! (I had already scoped this one out - just wanted to see what a few of you might have to say.)

    Yes, technically, "forewent" is correct. But most authorities (at least the ones I saw) side with you, Valerie - that "forewent," while technically correct, is awkward at best. Believe it or not, using a substitute word or phrase is the best way to go. Hence, "I skipped dessert," as opposed to "I forewent dessert."

    I know I certainly would use the former, as opposed to the latter.
     
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  9. Jul 18, 2012 #9
    JWBooth
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    eschewed?
     
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    Last edited: Jul 18, 2012
  10. Jul 18, 2012 #10
    Mr. H.
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    Gesundheit
     
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