foreword vs preface

Both 'foreword' and 'preface' are correct terms used in the context of a book to introduce the content. They serve a similar purpose, but 'foreword' is typically written by someone other than the author, providing a perspective on the book, while a 'preface' is usually written by the author, explaining the purpose, scope, and background of the work.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 898 views

foreword

The term 'foreword' is correct and commonly used in the context of a book to introduce the content. It is typically written by someone other than the author.

A 'foreword' is a section at the beginning of a book, usually written by someone other than the author, providing a perspective on the book or its subject matter.

Examples:

The foreword to the novel was written by a famous literary critic.
I always enjoy reading the foreword to understand the context of the book.

Show examples from the web [+]

I'd like to write a foreword to the book.
Let's hope Mosconi didn't write a foreword.
The full text of the notes can be found in the foreword of Annex I to Directive 67/548/EEC.
in the foreword, the following sentence shall be deleted:
In the foreword to the annual report of the European Central Bank for 2001, Wim Duisenberg presents an interesting personal opinion on integration.
Foreword CHAPTER 8 The Trumpets That Announce the Seven Plagues (Revelation 8:1-13) Are the Plagues of the Seven Trumpets Literal?
And when I publish my first book, you are so getting a shout out in the foreword.
According to the splendid brochure that was issued in 2002 with a foreword by the Commissioner, 'the time is ripe'.
the foreword is amended as follows:
Okay, so we start with the foreword by someone funny, pop-culty...
This will be the last foreword of an ECB Annual Report to bear my signature.
An overview of performance against these objectives is included in the President's foreword to the Annual Report.
An overview of these objectives is included in the President's foreword to the Annual Report.
Certain language versions of the Directive require corrections in specific sections of the foreword and of Table A to Annex I.
Table A in the foreword to Annex I is replaced by the following:
What the rapporteur said in her foreword is perfectly true, in the sense that priorities are not defined clearly enough and good intentions are often limited by lack of financial resources.
note K in the foreword is replaced by the text set out in Annex 1A;
Tables A and B in the foreword to Annex I shall include the Finnish and Swedish nomenclature.
- UNIDIR, Disarmament as Humanitarian Action: Making Multilateral Negotiations work, a project that in 2006 will result in a publication to which the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs wrote the foreword
Note 6 in the foreword of Annex I should be deleted as the provisions of this note no longer apply from the date on which Commission Directive 2001/60/EC enters into force.

Alternatives:

introduction
prologue
opening remarks
prelude
introductory note

preface

The term 'preface' is correct and commonly used in the context of a book to introduce the content. It is usually written by the author, providing background information and explaining the purpose of the work.

A 'preface' is a section at the beginning of a book, usually written by the author, providing background information, explaining the purpose of the work, and acknowledging those who contributed to the book.