I neglected to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I neglected to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you failed to do something or overlooked a task. Example: "I neglected to send the email before the deadline, which caused a delay in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I neglected to say "thin-skinned".

The New York Times

I neglected to mention the episode to Karen.

The New York Times

However, I neglected to remove the cable card before I shipped the unit.

The New York Times

"What I neglected to add was that no age ever has.

The New York Times - Books

But in the moment of shock, I neglected to see where the truck came from.

The New Yorker

I neglected to tell her about it that evening or any evening thereafter.

The New York Times - Magazine

I neglected to protect Cartagena, and now the memories were gone.

The Guardian - Books

Meanwhile I neglected to mention that Nocerino was booked a minute ago for holding back Giroud.

The Guardian - Sport

I'd cringe more, however, if I neglected to mention Iyer's magnificent barbed eloquence.

The Guardian - Books

"I neglected to bring my boating shoes," she said, with a pronounced Long Island accent.

The New York Times

"I neglected to include a question mark on my last question," says Ian Copestake.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I neglected to" when you want to acknowledge an oversight or failure to perform a task, often implying a sense of responsibility or mild regret. For example: "I neglected to inform my supervisor about the change of plans, leading to some confusion."

Common error

While "I neglected to" is acceptable, overuse in formal writing can sound repetitive. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "I failed to" or "I did not remember to" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I neglected to" functions as a declarative statement where the speaker acknowledges an omission or failure to perform a certain action. According to Ludwig, this phrase is correct and usable. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as "I neglected to mention" or "I neglected to include".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I neglected to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that you failed to do something, often implying a sense of responsibility or oversight. As Ludwig's analysis suggests, it is most frequently found in news and media contexts, with a neutral level of formality. When writing, be mindful of overusing the phrase, especially in formal settings, and consider using alternatives like "I failed to" or "I forgot to" for variety. Remember to use "I neglected to" when you want to own up to an omission or lack of attention to detail.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I failed to

Direct replacement indicating a failure to perform an action.

I forgot to

Indicates a lack of memory or awareness resulting in omission.

I omitted to

A more formal way of saying something was left out or not done.

I didn't remember to

Emphasizes the lack of recall as the reason for not doing something.

I overlooked

Implies that something was missed due to lack of attention.

I missed

A simple way of indicating a failure to do something.

I didn't do

A simple sentence to indicate that you didn't perform a task

It slipped my mind to

Indicates a momentary lapse in memory.

I left undone

Indicates that something was not completed or addressed.

I unintentionally skipped

Suggests the omission was not deliberate.

FAQs

How can I use "I neglected to" in a sentence?

You can use "I neglected to" to indicate that you failed to do something. For example: "I neglected to mention the changes to the budget."

What's a more formal alternative to "I neglected to"?

For more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "I failed to" or "I did not remember to", which convey a similar meaning with a slightly more professional tone.

Is there a difference between "I neglected to" and "I forgot to"?

While both indicate an omission, "I neglected to" often implies a sense of duty or responsibility that was not met, whereas "I forgot to" simply indicates a lack of memory.

When is it appropriate to use "I neglected to"?

"I neglected to" is appropriate when you want to acknowledge that you failed to do something you should have done, often implying a sense of oversight or lack of attention to detail.