I would forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would forget" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a hypothetical situation or a condition in which forgetting something might occur. Example: "If I had not set a reminder, I would forget my appointment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I would forget to breathe".

The New Yorker

"If I thought this way, I would forget my country".

The New York Times

"I kept lying awake worrying I would forget something, that I would forget Greenwich Village" (Page 506).

The New York Times

"I would forget to take it," and feel "like I couldn't breathe," she said.

The New York Times

"I'd end up buying another black cashmere cardigan because I would forget that I already had a black cashmere cardigan".

The New York Times

It wasn't pretty, and when I tried to add an arm stroke, I would forget to kick.

The New York Times

"Every time I learned a new vocabulary, I would forget the next minute," she said of those early days.

The New York Times

I would forget there were places like London that were not centred round libraries and essays.

The Guardian - Books

But I would forget how to shoot it if I were near a trans person.

The New Yorker

I found with bowls that if I had any troubles I would forget them".

The Guardian

At times, I would forget she was ill and would moan about my own problems.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I would forget" to describe a hypothetical situation or a past tendency. For example, "If I didn't write it down, I would forget."

Common error

Avoid using "I would forget" to describe a future event you are certain will happen. Use "I will forget" or "I'm going to forget" instead. "I would forget" implies a condition or hypothetical situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would forget" functions as a conditional statement, expressing a hypothetical outcome or a past tendency. As Ludwig AI shows, it often appears in sentences describing what might happen under certain conditions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I would forget" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to describe a hypothetical scenario or a past tendency where forgetting is likely. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings. It's essential to differentiate its conditional nature from the simple future tense, using "I will forget" for definitive future actions. When aiming for clarity, consider related phrases like "I might forget" or "I am likely to forget", tailoring your choice to the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I might forget

Expresses a possibility of forgetting something, similar to the original phrase but with a slightly weaker sense of certainty.

I could forget

Indicates a potential ability to forget or a possible scenario where forgetting could happen.

I am likely to forget

Emphasizes the probability of forgetting, adding a touch of formality.

I have a tendency to forget

Highlights a habitual pattern of forgetting.

I am prone to forgetting

Similar to 'I have a tendency to forget', but with a slightly stronger implication of being susceptible to forgetting.

It's possible I'll forget

Introduces uncertainty about remembering something.

There's a chance I'll forget

Similar to 'It's possible I'll forget', emphasizing the possibility of a memory lapse.

I occasionally forget

Indicates that forgetting happens sometimes, but not regularly.

I sometimes fail to remember

More formal way of expressing occasional forgetting, emphasizing the failure to recall.

I may inadvertently forget

Suggests that forgetting will happen unintentionally.

FAQs

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

Use "I would forget" to describe a hypothetical or conditional situation in the past. For example, "If I didn't set a reminder, "I would forget" the appointment."

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

A more formal alternative could be "I am likely to forget", or "I might inadvertently omit to remember" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I would forget" or "I will forget"?

The correct choice depends on the context. "I will forget" is used for future events, whereas "I would forget" is for hypothetical or conditional situations. For example, "I will forget my keys" versus "If I didn't have a reminder, "I would forget" my keys."

What does "I would forget" imply about the action of forgetting?

"I would forget" implies that forgetting is contingent on a condition or circumstance. It suggests a potential outcome rather than a definitive future action.