I totally forgot

USAGE SUMMARY

"I totally forgot" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express that you have completely forgotten something. For example, "I totally forgot about the meeting this morning!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"I totally forgot.

The Guardian - Film

I totally forgot they were there.

University of California, Berkeley

"I totally forgot about her," he said.

The New York Times

We had piano, I totally forgot".

The New Yorker

"I totally forgot about this year".

The New York Times - Sports

(5) I did … yeah, I totally forgot about that.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

We have a lot of fun together, and when I'm with them I totally forget about golf".

The New York Times - Sports

"To express what I feel before nature," he wrote to Gustave Geffroy, the art critic, "I totally forget the most elemental rules of painting, if they exist, every time".

The Guardian

(You and I? Totally forget).

TechCrunch

I totally forget it," he told VICE.

Vice

I just totally forgot I had them on when I went into bat.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I totally forgot" in informal settings or when speaking casually. It's best to avoid this phrase in formal writing, professional emails, or academic papers.

Common error

Avoid using "I totally forgot" in professional or formal communication. Opt for phrases like "I apologize, I overlooked that" or "I regret to inform you that I failed to recall".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I totally forgot" serves as an expression of unintentional omission or failure to remember something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in written English, as seen in the examples provided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I totally forgot" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to indicate a lapse in memory. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. While it's prevalent in informal contexts such as everyday conversations and some news articles, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. The high frequency of this phrase across various sources underscores its widespread acceptance in general communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It completely slipped my mind

Emphasizes that the information or task was forgotten without any intention.

I had a complete mental blank

Highlights the sudden inability to recall something.

It escaped my memory

Suggests that the information faded from memory over time.

I drew a blank

Conveys a momentary inability to remember something specific.

I blanked out

Implies a sudden and total loss of recall.

I lost track of it

Indicates a gradual forgetting or losing awareness of something.

It didn't register

Signifies that the information was not properly processed or remembered.

It went in one ear and out the other

Humorously expresses that the information was quickly forgotten.

I'm drawing a blank

A present-tense version of drawing a blank implying a struggle to recall.

My mind went blank

Describes a state where one's thoughts are empty and nothing can be recalled.

FAQs

How can I use "I totally forgot" in a sentence?

You can use "I totally forgot" to express you didn't remember something, for example: "I totally forgot about our dinner plans tonight!"

What's a more formal way to say "I totally forgot"?

For more formal situations, consider using phrases like "I completely overlooked", "I failed to remember", or "It slipped my mind".

Is it okay to use "I totally forgot" in an email to my boss?

It depends on your relationship with your boss. In most professional settings, it's better to use a more formal apology like "I apologize, I overlooked that".

What's the difference between "I totally forgot" and "I almost forgot"?

"I totally forgot" means you had no recollection of something, while "I almost forgot" means you nearly forgot but then remembered.