Say it like this
- Can we bring forward the demo by a day?
- The client wants to bring forward the launch date.
- Let's bring forward our sync to Monday instead.
- We brought forward the code freeze to give QA more time.
Use it at work
Changing dates
- Can we bring the meeting forward to 10 a.m.?
- We've brought forward the release to Tuesday.
Pushing work
- Can we bring this ticket forward into this sprint?
- The client asked to bring forward the deadline.
Saying no
- We can't bring the launch forward without cutting scope.
- Bringing it forward would mean skipping testing.
Don't say this
'Bring forward' means earlier, not later. Use 'push back' for later dates.
Don't mix it up
| Term | What it is | Who writes or uses it | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| bring forward | Move to an earlier time | Anyone | Schedules |
| push back | Move to a later time | Anyone | Schedules |
| postpone | Delay to later (formal) | Anyone | Schedules |
Practice
Try it
4 quick exercises
1. Your PM says: 'The client wants the demo sooner.' What do you say?
2. We need to bring forward the release for three days.
3. The stakeholder meeting has been _____ forward to Tuesday.
4. Can we have the code review earlier than planned?
Say it out loud
Phrase 1 of 4
"Can we bring forward the demo by a day?"
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More about bring forward
Real examples(7)
- Standup
"I'd like to bring forward the API review — can we do it today instead of Thursday?"
- Slack message
"Hey team, can we bring forward tomorrow's sync to 10am? I have a conflict at 2pm."
- GitHub PR
"Bringing forward the merge to main so QA can start testing earlier."
- Jira ticket
"Priority changed — bringing forward this ticket to the current sprint."
- Retrospective
"We should bring forward code reviews in the process so bugs are caught earlier."
- Sprint planning
"Let's bring forward the deadline for the project to allow more time for testing."
- Pair programming
"Can we bring forward our pairing session? I'm free now if you are."
More mistakes(2)
- ✕I will bring forward you the update.✓I will bring forward the update.
This phrasal verb doesn't take an indirect object between the words.
- ✕We need to bring it forward for two days.✓We need to bring it forward by two days.
Use 'by' (not 'for') when specifying how much earlier.
Other forms(4)
- bring forward base form
"Let's bring forward the meeting."
- brought forward past tense
"We brought forward the deadline."
- bringing forward present continuous
"We're bringing forward the release."
- brought forward past participle
"The demo has been brought forward."
Often used with(5)
- bring forward a meeting · Most common use — reschedule to earlier
- bring forward the deadline · Make the deadline sooner
- bring forward the launch · Release earlier than planned
- bring forward by [time] · Specify how much earlier (by two days, by a week)
- bring forward to [date] · Specify the new earlier date
Similar words(4)
- move up · Very common in US English, same meaning
- advance · More formal, often used in written communication
- reschedule earlier · More explicit but longer
- expedite · Focuses on speed, often for processes not just dates
Opposites(5)
- push back
- postpone
- delay
- move back
- defer
Questions(5)
- Does 'bring forward' mean earlier or later?
- Bring forward always means earlier. If someone brings forward a meeting from Friday to Wednesday, the meeting is now sooner. To move something later, use 'push back' instead.
- What's the difference between 'bring forward' and 'move up'?
- They mean the same thing. 'Move up' is more common in American English. 'Bring forward' is used in both US and UK English. Both are correct in workplace settings.
- Can I say 'bring forward' in formal emails?
- Yes, 'bring forward' works in both casual and formal communication. It's appropriate for Slack messages, meeting invites, and emails to clients or executives.
- How do I use 'bring forward' with specific dates?
- Use 'by' for the amount of time: 'bring forward by two days'. Use 'to' for the new date: 'bring forward to Monday'. Example: 'We're bringing forward the launch by a week, to March 15th.'
- Is 'bring forward' separable?
- Yes, you can separate it with the object: 'bring the meeting forward' or 'bring forward the meeting'. Both are correct. With pronouns, keep them together: 'bring it forward' (not 'bring forward it').
