before I forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "before I forget" is a perfectly acceptable part of a sentence in written English.
You would use it when you want to remind yourself or someone else that you need to do something, as soon as possible. For example, "I need to drop off my library books before I forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

BEFORE I FORGET Opens on Friday in Manhattan.

The New York Times

OPENING BEFORE I FORGET Jacques Nolot directed and stars in this drama, about an aging gay man who must cope with his loneliness.

The New Yorker

July 18 BEFORE I FORGET A 59-year-old H.I.V.-positive Frenchman, played by Jacques Nolot (who also directed), faces his mortality.

The New York Times

"Please come talk to me," he wrote to Searcey three months after his arrest, "before I forget what I have remembered so we can get it on tape".

The New Yorker

E-mail address GO SIGN UP Share Tweet OPENING BEFORE I FORGET Jacques Nolot directed and stars in this drama, about an aging gay man who must cope with his loneliness.

The New Yorker

You're going to forget who I am before I forget who you are.' " Wallace was thrilled that his personal life was in order: he took it as evidence that he had matured.

The New Yorker

You're going to forget who I am before I forget who you are".9.9

Vice

You're going to forget who I am before I forget who you are.

Vice

I did it with them once before, I forget how many shows, but it went over great and we had a good time.

Huffington Post

"Steve, before I forget, will you give me your card?" Nader said.

The New Yorker

| Feb. 21 at 3 15: "Before I Forget" (2007, Jacques Nolot; in French).

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "before I forget" to smoothly introduce a related but slightly off-topic point, ensuring the original subject remains the primary focus. This technique maintains clarity and avoids derailing the discussion.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "before I forget", as it can make your writing sound repetitive and disjointed. Instead, vary your transitional phrases to maintain a smoother flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "before I forget" functions as an interjection or transitional phrase. It's used to introduce a thought, reminder, or piece of information that the speaker/writer suddenly recalls and wishes to include, often as an aside. Ludwig provides examples where this phrase prefaces additional details or requests.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "before I forget" serves as a useful interjection to introduce a thought that might otherwise be omitted. As Ludwig AI clarifies, its grammatical status is correct, typically functioning as a transitional phrase in neutral contexts like News & Media. While "before I forget" is commonly used, related phrases such as "while I remember" or "lest I forget" can be used for variety. While effective, overusing "before I forget" can make writing sound repetitive, so consider varying your transitional phrases.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

while I remember

A shorter, more direct version emphasizing the act of remembering at the present moment.

lest I forget

This alternative has a slightly more formal and literary tone.

before it slips my mind

This version explicitly mentions the act of forgetting.

let me not forget

This phrase adds a sense of determination to remember.

while it's still fresh in my mind

This alternative stresses the current clarity of the memory.

I almost forgot to mention

This alternative highlights the near oversight.

just a quick reminder

This phrase emphasizes the act of reminding the listener.

I must add

This is a direct way to introduce an additional point

one more thing

This is a concise and informal way to introduce an additional point.

a thought just occurred to me

This introduces a new idea that has just come to mind.

FAQs

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

You can use "before I forget" to introduce a thought or piece of information that you suddenly remember and want to add to the conversation. For example, "Before I forget, did you remember to call the doctor?"

What are some alternatives to saying "before I forget"?

You can use alternatives like "lest I forget", "before it slips my mind", or "while I remember" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "before I forget"?

Yes, "before I forget" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce something you want to mention quickly before you forget it. Ludwig confirms this.

When is it appropriate to use "before I forget" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "before I forget" in writing when you want to add an important detail that you almost overlooked. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but be mindful of overusing it.