- A phrase used to indicate a focus on the future, often signaling a transition from past discussion or problems to future actions or plans.
- It means from this point on, in the future, or going forward.
Explanation
Origin
- A simple, literal combination of words indicating progression in time.
- Its popularity surged in business and political jargon as a way to sound proactive and forward-looking, sometimes used to deflect from past issues.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- So, the plan is...
- Alright, next up...
- From here on out...
Milder/Standard:
- Our next steps are...
- For the future, we will...
- Starting now, let's...
More Direct:
- The new procedure is...
- Here's what we'll do differently:
Situational Appropriateness
- Very common in business, meetings, planning, and formal discussions.
- Can sometimes sound like corporate jargon or be perceived as a way to avoid dwelling on past mistakes.
- Generally safe for professional settings but might sound slightly stiff in very casual conversation.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood, but overuse can make the speaker sound evasive or overly corporate.
- The main misunderstanding is often about the speaker's intent – are they genuinely planning for the future or just trying to change the subject?
Examples
- Okay, that was the review of last quarter. Moving forward, our focus will be on increasing market share.
- We acknowledge the mistakes made. Moving forward, we will implement stricter controls.
- Moving forward, please submit all reports by Friday.
Dialogue
Team Lead: Alright team, the client wasn't happy with the last deliverable. We've discussed what went wrong.
Team Lead: Moving forward, I want everyone to double-check their work against the requirements checklist before submission.
Team Member: Got it. Will do.
Another Team Member: Okay, so moving forward, that checklist is mandatory?
Team Lead: Yes, absolutely.
Social Media Examples
- Company Update Post: We've learned a lot from your feedback. Moving forward, we're committed to improving our customer service response times. #CustomerFirst
- Political Tweet: Acknowledging the challenges, but focusing on solutions. Moving forward, my priority is job creation. #Policy #Economy
- Personal Blog Post: Reflecting on the past year... mistakes were made, lessons learned. Moving forward, I'm focusing on health and mindfulness. #NewBeginnings
Response Patterns
- Acknowledgment: Okay., Got it., Understood.
- Agreement: Sounds good., That makes sense.
- Questions about the future action: Okay, so what are the first steps?, Who is responsible for that moving forward?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone uses Moving forward to introduce a plan/change:
- Asking clarifying questions about the new plan or procedure.
- Discussing the implementation details.
- Confirming understanding of the new expectations.
The speaker often follows Moving forward directly with the new plan, instruction, or focus.
Conversation Starter
- No.
- Used to transition within a conversation, typically from reviewing the past/present to discussing the future.
Intonation
- Often spoken with emphasis on moving or forward. MOVING forward or Moving FORWARD.
- Can have a slight pause after it, setting off the future action. Moving forward, [pause] we will...
- Tone is generally neutral, proactive, or sometimes slightly formal/corporate.
Generation Differences
- Widely used across working generations. Its jargon status might be more noted by those who dislike corporate speak.
Regional Variations
- Common in all major English-speaking regions, particularly in professional contexts.