but he forgot

USAGE SUMMARY

'but he forgot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to conduct a contrast and present an idea or action that follows as a consequence of the initial statement. For example: He had planned to meet his friends for dinner, but he forgot.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

But he forgot".

The New Yorker

But he forgot more than names.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he forgot to introduce himself to the voters.

The New York Times

But he forgot one detail: a city permit.

The New York Times

But he forgot, or never knew, that the French word for these strips was "bacon".

The New Yorker

But he forgot another, no less important lesson of perambulatory physics.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

But he forgets that those with influence and means manage to get deferments or choice assignments.

The New York Times

But then he forgot.

The New Yorker

But maybe he forgot all about it.

The Guardian

He painted her portrait, but either he forgot to give it to her or she forgot to fetch it.

The New Yorker

The first time they kissed, he thought of asking if she was really Polish, but then he forgot.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but he forgot" to introduce a contrasting element or unexpected consequence resulting from someone's oversight or lapse in memory. It adds a layer of surprise or irony to the narrative.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "but he forgot" can sound informal in academic or professional writing. Opt for more formal alternatives like "however, he overlooked" or "nevertheless, he failed to consider" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but he forgot" functions as a conjunction phrase introducing a contrasting event or outcome. It typically follows a statement of intention or action, highlighting a failure or oversight. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but he forgot" is a grammatically correct and frequently used conjunction phrase that introduces contrast or unexpected outcomes. Ludwig AI analysis indicates that it’s commonly found in News & Media, Encyclopedias and Scientific writing, and serves to highlight oversights or failures. While widely acceptable, it may be wise to opt for more formal alternatives in academic or professional contexts. Consider alternatives like "however, he overlooked" or "yet, he didn't remember" for nuanced semantic variations. Ultimately, understanding its function and appropriate contexts enables more effective communication. The numerous examples that Ludwig provides confirm that "but he forgot" is a versatile tool for expressing surprise, irony, or simple forgetfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

yet, he didn't remember

Substitutes "forgot" with "didn't remember", emphasizing the lack of recall.

though, he failed to recall

Uses "failed to recall" instead of "forgot", highlighting the inability to bring something to mind.

although, he failed to mention

Indicates an unintentional omission of information.

however, he overlooked

Replaces "forgot" with "overlooked", implying a failure to notice or consider something.

however, he neglected to

Emphasizes the failure to perform an action due to oversight.

still, he didn't consider

Substitutes "forgot" with "didn't consider", focusing on the lack of forethought.

but he didn't account for

Highlights the absence of consideration or planning.

nonetheless, he was oblivious

Replaces "forgot" with "was oblivious", indicating a lack of awareness.

but he was unmindful of

Indicates a lack of attentiveness or care.

yet, he left out

Highlights the absence of adding or including something important.

FAQs

How can I use "but he forgot" in a sentence?

The phrase "but he forgot" is used to introduce a contrasting element or unexpected outcome due to someone's lapse in memory or oversight. For example, "He packed his suitcase, "but he forgot" his toothbrush".

What can I say instead of "but he forgot"?

You can use alternatives like "however he overlooked", "yet he didn't remember", or "nonetheless he was oblivious" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "but he forgot"?

Yes, "but he forgot" is grammatically correct. "But" is a coordinating conjunction, and "he forgot" is an independent clause.

What's the difference between "but he forgot" and "but he didn't remember"?

While similar, "but he forgot" implies a more general oversight, whereas "but he didn't remember" specifically highlights a failure to recall something from memory. The difference is very nuanced but affects the tone of the narration.