I forgot to feed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I forgot to feed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that you neglected to provide food for someone or something, such as a pet or a person. Example: "I was so busy with work that I forgot to feed the dog before leaving the house."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Aged seven, I forgot to feed her for week and the poor rodent starved to death.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

BOOYAH IN YOUR FACE Oh shit I forgot to feed the kid.

The New Yorker

Entire days have gone by when I've not realized until five in the afternoon, "I forgot to feed the kids".

Huffington Post

And there was the time when both mom and dad were out and I forgot to feed the dog and cat and I didn't do any homework 'cause I was online for hours and hours.

Huffington Post

For example, you have a party your parents didn't authorize while they went out of town, and tell them when they return "I'm sorry, I forgot to feed the dog last night and he ripped up the sofa when I was out".

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

When a job is not done, remind without confronting-and comment on the job, not the person: "Mittens looks hungry," as opposed to "I see you forgot to feed the cat".

Huffington Post

"One day I was crying because they forgot to feed me", she told an interviewer in 2012, "and one of my uncles told my parents that I had a beautiful voice when I sobbed".

The Guardian - Music

I let Carlo listen to the counting song as many times as he wanted, forgot to feed Victor his pudding cup, and gave notice at the end of a week.

The New Yorker

He forgot to feed Reebok.

The New York Times - Books

You forgot to feed the hamsters?

The New Yorker

Felix is the type of fellow who gets up in the dark to stalk through the rain because he forgot to feed his mule.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I forgot to feed", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what was supposed to be fed. This avoids ambiguity and ensures your message is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "I forgot to feed" without a clear subject. For example, saying "I forgot to feed" without mentioning the pet or person can confuse your audience. Always specify who or what was supposed to be fed to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I forgot to feed" functions as a statement of omission. It indicates that the speaker failed to perform the action of feeding someone or something. Ludwig AI indicates it as a correct expression and examples from Ludwig show it is used in various contexts such as pets or children.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I forgot to feed" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express the omission of feeding someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, while Ludwig provides examples showing its use in diverse scenarios, mostly in News & Media. Though the phrase is correct, its frequency is rare, and writers should ensure clarity by specifying who or what was neglected. Alternatives such as "I neglected to feed" or "I failed to feed" offer nuanced variations depending on the intended emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I neglected to feed

Emphasizes a lack of care or attention, rather than simply forgetting.

I failed to feed

Highlights the lack of success in performing the action of feeding.

I didn't remember to feed

More explicitly states the lack of recall.

I omitted to feed

A more formal way of saying that the action of feeding was left out.

I overlooked feeding

Indicates that the task of feeding was missed due to inattention.

It slipped my mind to feed

Focuses on the involuntary nature of forgetting.

I wasn't mindful to feed

Highlights a lack of awareness or consciousness regarding the need to feed.

I was remiss in feeding

Indicates a failure in one's duty or responsibility to feed.

I didn't get around to feeding

Suggests that the task was intended but not completed due to other priorities.

I put off feeding

Implies a deliberate postponement of the task, which then resulted in it not being done.

FAQs

What does "I forgot to feed" mean?

It means that you did not remember to give food to someone or something, such as a pet, a child, or even a plant.

What can I say instead of "I forgot to feed"?

You can use alternatives like "I neglected to feed", "I failed to feed", or "I didn't remember to feed" depending on the context.

Is "I forgot feeding" grammatically correct?

No, "I forgot feeding" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "I forgot to feed". The verb "forget" requires an infinitive (to + verb) to express a forgotten intention or action.

How can I prevent myself from forgetting to feed my pet?

You can set reminders on your phone, create a feeding schedule, or leave a note in a visible place as a prompt. Making it part of a daily routine also helps.