I would rather forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I would rather forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a preference to not remember or think about something, often something unpleasant or painful. Example: "After everything that happened last year, I would rather forget those memories and focus on the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

We began the day in southern Oklahoma City—in a hotel that I would rather forget.

Columbia University

"The first 25 years of my life are something I would rather forget, but the contrary has taken place," he told The Guardian of London in 2007.

The New York Times - Books

After a 48-hour journey I would rather forget (including hugging Bolivian mountains on a treacherous coach journey) it was a relief to reach Salar de Uyuni.

The Guardian - Travel

I've spent the past two years recalling experiences from my childhood and teenage years that I would rather forget, reliving events that should never have taken place and recreating through fiction, moments that seemed small at the time but that I've come to realise caused me great damage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"...few that I'm sure former teachers, school administrators and I would rather forget".

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Parts of it I'd rather forget".

The New York Times

There are plenty of things I'd rather forget.

MIT Technology Review

Almost everyone I met back then I'd rather forget.

The New Yorker

At least for me, I'd rather forget everything.

The Guardian

And just browsing through sometimes turns up stuff I'd rather forget.

The Guardian - Tech

I like to pursue dreams that are possible, but I'd rather forget about impossible dreams".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I would rather forget" when you want to express a strong preference for not remembering or revisiting a particular event or period in your life. It is appropriate when discussing personal experiences or feelings.

Common error

While "I would rather forget" is grammatically correct, it may sound too informal or personal for certain professional or academic settings. Consider using more neutral language, such as "It's best to move on" or "That period is best left in the past."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I would rather forget" functions as an expression of preference, specifically a desire to avoid remembering or thinking about something unpleasant. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

12%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Reference

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I would rather forget" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to convey a desire to avoid remembering or thinking about something unpleasant. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly acceptable in written English. While straightforward, the phrase is relatively rare and is typically employed in neutral to informal contexts. If formality is desired, consider alternative expressions. Predominantly, this phrase appears in News & Media, reflecting personal narratives and opinions. While semantically valid, note that the phrase may be replaced by options such as "I prefer to forget" or "Let's not talk about that" depending on the nuances you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'd rather not recall that

Emphasizes the act of remembering as something to be avoided.

That's something I'd rather not relive

Focuses on the experience of re-experiencing something unpleasant.

I prefer to not dwell on it

Focuses on actively choosing not to think about something.

I'd rather not revisit that

Implies a prior negative experience and a reluctance to go through it again.

I try not to think about that

Highlights an active effort to avoid thinking about something.

I'd prefer to leave that in the past

Emphasizes keeping something in the past and not revisiting it.

I'd like to put that behind me

Highlights the desire to move on from a past event.

I wish I could erase that from my mind

Expresses a longing to eliminate a memory.

I'd sooner obliterate that memory

Suggests a desire to completely erase the memory.

Let's not talk about that

A direct way of avoiding a topic.

FAQs

What does "I would rather forget" mean?

The phrase "I would rather forget" expresses a preference to not remember or think about something, usually because it is unpleasant or painful. It's a way of saying you'd like to erase that memory.

Is it grammatically correct to say "I would rather forget"?

Yes, "I would rather forget" is grammatically correct. The structure "would rather" followed by a base verb form is a standard way to express preference in English.

What are some alternatives to "I would rather forget"?

You can use alternatives like "I prefer to forget", "I try not to think about that", or "Let's not talk about that" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I would rather forget"?

The phrase "I would rather forget" is appropriate when discussing personal experiences or feelings you'd prefer not to dwell on. It's often used in informal conversations or personal writing.