I forget that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I forget that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have overlooked or failed to remember something previously mentioned or known. Example: "I forget that you have a meeting today; I should have reminded you."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

How could I forget that day?

The New Yorker

How could I forget that?

The New York Times - Arts

Sometimes I forget that warmth ever existed.

The New Yorker

SB: How could I forget that?

Huffington Post

That is a big privilege, but sometimes I forget that".

Huffington Post

Sometimes I forget that women do not have penises, not even a little bit.

Vice

"I forget that Drew's recording this online.

The New York Times

"Sometimes, I forget that they know me".

The New Yorker

I forget that half my face can't smile.

The New York Times - Books

'I forget that you know everything - have seen everything.

The Guardian - Books

Sometimes I forget that coming out in terms of sexuality is still a big deal".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I forget that" to acknowledge a temporary lapse in memory or awareness, especially when the forgotten information is relevant to the current context. It is often followed by a reminder or explanation to rectify the oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "I forget that" as a way to excuse a lack of preparation or knowledge that you realistically should have possessed. This can come across as irresponsible. Instead, use it for genuinely unintentional memory lapses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I forget that" functions as a declarative statement expressing a realization of a memory lapse. The speaker acknowledges that they were previously unaware of or had overlooked a particular fact or piece of information. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I forget that" is a common way to acknowledge a temporary lapse in memory. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and usable. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts. To use it effectively, remember that it is most appropriate for unintentional memory lapses, and alternatives like "it slips my mind that" might be suitable in more formal situations. Avoid using it to excuse a lack of preparation. All in all, "I forget that" is a valuable phrase to use when you’ve genuinely overlooked a detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It slips my mind that

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of forgetting; slightly more formal.

I sometimes overlook the fact that

Highlights the act of not noticing or considering something important.

It escapes my memory that

Suggests that the information is difficult to recall.

I didn't realize that

Focuses on a lack of awareness or understanding.

I fail to remember that

Emphasizes a failure to recall something; slightly more formal.

I lose track of the fact that

Indicates a gradual forgetting over time.

I am not mindful that

Indicates a lack of attention or awareness; more formal.

It's easy to lose sight of the fact that

Highlights how easily something can be forgotten amidst other concerns.

I am oblivious to the fact that

Suggests a complete lack of awareness; can imply criticism.

I disregard that

Implies actively ignoring something which is semantically different from forgetting.

FAQs

How can I use "I forget that" in a sentence?

You can use "I forget that" to express a temporary lapse in memory. For example: "I forget that you don't like coffee; I'll make tea instead."

What's a more formal alternative to "I forget that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "I fail to remember that" or "it slips my mind that", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I am forgetting that" instead of "I forget that"?

While grammatically possible, "I am forgetting that" implies an ongoing process of forgetting. "I forget that" is more common for expressing a current, realized lapse in memory.

What's the difference between "I forget that" and "I don't remember that"?

"I forget that" usually implies a temporary lapse, while "I don't remember that" suggests a more complete inability to recall something. The former is often followed by a quick correction or realization.