I've forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

"I've forgotten" is correct and usable in written English
You can use it when you are admitting to have forgotten something. Example: I've forgotten my umbrella, so I need to buy one before I leave.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Social Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I've forgotten.

The New York Times

"I've forgotten it.

The New York Times - Sports

I've forgotten my matches".

The New Yorker

And I know I've forgotten.

The New York Times

And one I've forgotten.

The New Yorker

"I've forgotten so much.

The Guardian

I've forgotten his name".

The Guardian - Opinion

Fortunately, whatever it was I've forgotten".

The New Yorker

"I've forgotten how to talk to you.

The New Yorker

If it's happened before, I've forgotten it.

Independent

Oh, hell, I've forgotten what it's called.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase in a sentence, follow it immediately with the object (e.g., 'I've forgotten my keys') or a subordinate clause (e.g., 'I've forgotten what he said') to provide immediate context.

Common error

Avoid using 'I've forgot' in formal or standard English. While common in some dialects, the present perfect tense requires the past participle 'forgotten'. Always double-check this when writing professional emails or essays.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I've forgotten" serves as a first-person singular present perfect verb construction. It combines the auxiliary verb 'have' (in contracted form) with the past participle 'forgotten'. According to Ludwig AI, this structure is used to link a past event (the act of forgetting) to the present situation (the current lack of memory).

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Social Media

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I've forgotten" is a cornerstone of English communication, appearing frequently in high-quality sources analyzed by Ludwig. It is grammatically sound and highly versatile, functioning effectively in both personal anecdotes and professional reports. Ludwig AI confirms that it is the standard way to express a current state of memory loss. Whether you are admitting you forgot a password or a complex concept, this phrase remains the most natural and accurate choice for modern English writers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I have forgotten

Removes the contraction for a more formal or emphatic tone

I can't remember

Focuses on the current inability to retrieve the information

I cannot recall

Formal alternative often used in legal or professional contexts

It slipped my mind

An idiomatic way to describe a temporary lapse in memory

I'm drawing a blank

Informal expression for being suddenly unable to remember something

I've misplaced

Used specifically when you cannot find a physical object

I failed to recall

A more formal and structured way of admitting a memory failure

I've blanked on

Informal way to say you have forgotten a specific name or fact

I've overlooked

Suggests that a detail was missed or ignored rather than completely lost from memory

I've lost track of

Used when the lapse concerns a sequence, time, or quantity

FAQs

How do I use "I've forgotten" in a sentence?

You use it to indicate that you no longer remember something. For example: "I've forgotten where I parked my car."

What can I say instead of "I've forgotten"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "I can't remember", "it slipped my mind", or "I've misplaced" if referring to an object.

Is it correct to say "I've forgot"?

No, in standard English, you should use the past participle "forgotten". If you want to use the simple past, say "I forgot".

What is the difference between "I've forgotten" and "I have forgotten"?

There is no difference in meaning; "I have forgotten" is simply the full, non-contracted version of the phrase, which is preferred in formal academic or legal writing.