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Why "back and fourth" is incorrect: common misstep in English
Reviewed and edited by 
Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 13:43
Anwar Kareem 29/09/2024, 13:43English.me team member
What kind of error is it?
spelling/phrase error
Why do people make this mistake?
People often make this error because the word "fourth" is a homophone for "forth" and is more commonly used in contexts such as time (e.g., the fourth of July), which might confuse the writer.
What is correct?
The correct phrase is "back and forth", where "forth" means forward in place or time.
Examples of correct usage
- The couple argued back and forth for hours.
- She paced back and forth while thinking about the problem.
- The ball was thrown back and forth across the net.
Grammar
