as we forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as we forget" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing memory, nostalgia, or the passage of time, often implying a gradual loss of recollection or significance. Example: "As we forget the details of our past, we often find new meanings in our present experiences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Has it forgotten us, as we forget ourselves?

The New Yorker

"As we forget, our memories abstract and our brain goes through a cleansing process".

The New York Times

She doesn't care what it looks like as long as we forget about the "ridiculous" American names her son suggested.

The New York Times - Magazine

According to Freud, we repeat as we forget those traumas we have been unable to process, and human life is divided between the work of Eros, which binds and builds, and that of Thanatos, which unbinds and destroys.

The Guardian - Books

"An Octoroon" isn't just an alternative to the irony-free "black American theatre" of Hansberry and August Wilson; it's part of it and part of many other things, too, because Jacobs-Jenkins's surrealism grows out of naturalism, the strange circumstances that make us open our mouths, hoping to be heard, even as we forget to listen.

The New Yorker

Dickens, in the course of his lifetime, passed from the comic-classical end of "The Pickwick Papers," where we are simply told that everyone we met will now be together forever, to the ideal symmetry of "A Tale of Two Cities," with its great first line and even more memorable last line, uttered, as we forget, from the grave itself — a far, far better way of ending a novel.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

This was partly because we were slow-clapped as we found a seat (we had nearly missed the flight as we forgot about the clocks changing), but far more because I was just glad to be going home.

The Guardian - Travel

Turns out not really late, as we forgot the time change as one crosses the Georgia/Alabama border.

Huffington Post

At one time or another, all three of these also-rans – as well as Herman Cain, lest we forget – seemed well-positioned to win the caucuses.

The New York Times

As adults, we forget that we live in our bodies.

The Guardian

As adults, we forget how cruel some kids can be, and how much damage they can inflict on the self-esteem of more sensitive children.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as we forget" to introduce a consequence or a repeated action that stems from a lapse in memory. For example, "As we forget the lessons of history, we risk repeating past mistakes."

Common error

Avoid using "as we forget" when you actually mean "as we neglect". Forgetting is unintentional, while neglecting implies a conscious lack of attention. If the action is deliberate, choose a word like "ignore" or "disregard" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as we forget" functions as a subordinating conjunction, introducing a clause that provides context or a condition for the main clause. It indicates that something happens because of our forgetting. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as we forget" functions as a subordinating conjunction, establishing a causal link between forgetting and a subsequent outcome. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's grammatical correctness and usability. It's most commonly found in News & Media contexts, with a neutral register, and carries a tone of warning or inevitability. While not a frequent phrase, it provides a nuanced way to describe the consequences of memory loss. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects unintentional forgetting rather than deliberate neglect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as our memory fades

Directly addresses the weakening of memories over time.

as we let slip from memory

Suggests a passive process of forgetting.

as we lose sight of

Emphasizes a gradual drifting away from understanding or awareness.

as we fail to recall

Highlights the inability to bring something back to mind.

as we overlook

Indicates failing to notice or consider something important.

as we neglect

Focuses on a lack of care or attention leading to forgetting.

as we disregard

Highlights a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something.

as we disremember

A more archaic or emphatic way of saying "forget."

as time erodes our recollections

Uses figurative language to describe the gradual loss of memories.

as we consign to oblivion

Emphasizes the complete disappearance of something from memory.

FAQs

How can I use "as we forget" in a sentence?

Use "as we forget" to indicate a gradual fading of memory or a consequence resulting from a loss of recollection. For instance, "As we forget the initial excitement, the daily routine sets in."

What is a good alternative to "as we forget"?

Consider using "as we lose sight of", "as we neglect", or "as our memory fades" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "as we are forgetting" instead of "as we forget"?

While grammatically correct, "as we are forgetting" implies a more active and ongoing process of forgetting, whereas "as we forget" suggests a more general or habitual tendency. The best choice depends on the specific meaning you intend to convey.

What's the difference between "as we forget" and "lest we forget"?

"As we forget" describes a natural process of memory fading. "Lest we forget" is a rhetorical device, often used in memorial contexts, to urge people not to forget something important, typically a historical event or sacrifice.