act of forgetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "act of forgetting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process or action of intentionally or unintentionally failing to remember something. Example: "The act of forgetting can sometimes be a defense mechanism to cope with painful memories."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

The act of forgetting, or pretending to forget, becomes a Darwinian principle of survival.

The New York Times

Those months at a German high school were really MacGregor's first experience of the act of forgetting.

The Guardian

He takes up painting and tells his instructor that it is "a kind of act of forgetting".

The Guardian - Books

Abandoned to his estate in Norfolk, Merivel is tormented by the thought that his monarch's failure to reply to any letter is "a deliberate act of forgetting".

The Guardian - Books

Last week, both men reported that they had not repeated what each called the stupid act of forgetting his cello while traveling.

The New York Times

In her haunting new novel, "Family Album," the act of forgetting is as strange and interesting as the power of remembering.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Could it be that in our acts of memorializing we are also involved in acts of forgetting?

Huffington Post

That said, the execution of this act points toward the fact that the event of destruction still constitutes a memorializing act, that it is still an exercise of free speech, that it is still telling us to never forget in an altogether different way: that the war we are still involved in is something that was made possible through strategic acts of forgetting.

Huffington Post

So, as the offending passages were about to be read out in the court, one of the judges asked if Miss Anderson could be removed as an act of propriety, forgetting that she must have read it, being the editor.

The New Yorker

Few acts of collective forgetting have been as thorough and as successful as the erasing of slavery from the Britain's "island story".

The Guardian

Given how many groups Trump has denigrated, how many Americans he has implied are not really Americans at all, his election would require many simultaneous acts of mass forgetting.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing historical or political contexts, use "act of forgetting" to highlight deliberate attempts to ignore or suppress certain events or narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "act of forgetting" when simply describing a lack of knowledge. The phrase implies a deliberate or subconscious suppression of existing information, not just a lack of awareness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "act of forgetting" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes the process or instance of failing to remember something. Ludwig provides examples showing it can represent both intentional and unintentional processes. This expression is generally considered grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "act of forgetting" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe the process of failing to remember, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Ludwig's analysis indicates it's used primarily in news, books, and general contexts, with a neutral to formal register. Alternatives include "intentional oversight" or "selective memory", offering subtle shifts in meaning. While generally correct, it's important to distinguish "act of forgetting" from simple ignorance, as the phrase implies some degree of suppression or conscious effort. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

memory suppression

Highlights the attempt to consciously block memories.

repression of memory

Emphasizes the psychological defense mechanism of pushing memories into the unconscious.

selective memory

Highlights choosing what to remember and what to omit.

erasure from memory

Highlights the complete removal of a memory.

intentional oversight

Focuses on the deliberate nature of ignoring something.

memory lapse

Highlights a brief, unintentional failure to remember.

conscious omission

Emphasizes the awareness involved in leaving something out of memory.

neglecting to remember

Focuses on the lack of effort in recalling something.

cognitive blocking

Focuses on the mental process of preventing recall.

falling into oblivion

Emphasizes the gradual fading of memories over time.

FAQs

How can I use "act of forgetting" in a sentence?

You can use "act of forgetting" to describe a deliberate choice to ignore the past, as in, "The politician's speech was an "act of forgetting" the promises he made during his campaign."

What's the difference between "act of forgetting" and "memory lapse"?

"Act of forgetting" implies a process, whether intentional or subconscious, while "memory lapse" suggests a brief, unintentional failure to recall something.

What can I say instead of "act of forgetting" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using "intentional oversight" or "selective memory", depending on the context.

Is "act of forgetting" the same as denial?

While related, they aren't identical. Denial is a psychological defense mechanism, whereas "act of forgetting" can be a broader term referring to any instance where information is not recalled, including subconscious repression or deliberate ignorance. So "act of forgetting" may lead to "denial" but also to simple casual ommission of facts, without psychological implications.