completely forgot about

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely forgot about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone does not remember or has not thought about something. Example sentence: I completely forgot about our anniversary and didn't get a present.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I completely forgot about that.

The Guardian - Sport

Some weeks I completely forgot about TV.

The New York Times

After we got married, I completely forgot about myself.

The New Yorker

"I completely forgot about the oven," I say.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I invited everyone over for pizza last night and completely forgot about you".

The New York Times

But these 200 foot tall trees are also 'organisms' and I completely forgot about it!

University of California, Berkeley

I spent over an hour in there and bought several books, and completely forgot about lunch.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

One of the songs that I'd completely forgotten about was "Far Far Away".

The New York Times

I'd completely forgotten about it.

The New York Times

Can you completely forget about vanity?

The Guardian

Oh my, I had completely forgotten about her!

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely forgot about" to emphasize a genuine lapse in memory, rather than a deliberate act of ignoring something. This ensures the intended meaning is conveyed accurately.

Common error

Avoid using "completely forgot about" when you actually mean you neglected or chose to ignore something. This phrase implies a genuine lack of memory, not a deliberate oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely forgot about" functions as a verb phrase expressing a complete lack of memory or awareness. It often modifies a subject (person or thing) to indicate that they had no recollection of something, and according to Ludwig, this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely forgot about" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to express a total lapse in memory. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is correct and usable in written English. It's most frequently encountered in news and media contexts but is acceptable in many situations. While highly versatile, it’s vital to ensure the context aligns with its core meaning: unintentional forgetting, rather than negligence or a deliberate oversight. Consider alternatives like "totally blanked on" or "slipped my mind" to slightly nuance meaning or register if necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it slipped my mind entirely

Suggests a gradual fading from memory.

I didn't remember at all

A more straightforward way of saying the same thing, less emphatic.

totally blanked on

Implies a sudden inability to recall something.

I had no memory of

Focuses on the lack of any memory trace.

it escaped my memory

Suggests that the information was once known but is no longer accessible.

I lost all recollection of

Indicates a total absence of any memory of something.

utterly failed to recall

Highlights a complete lack of remembrance, often used in formal contexts.

I overlooked completely

Emphasizes the act of neglecting to consider something.

I had a complete memory lapse regarding

Emphasizes a temporary loss of memory related to a specific thing.

I was oblivious to

Highlights a lack of awareness rather than a failure of memory.

FAQs

What does "completely forgot about" mean?

The phrase "completely forgot about" means that someone had no recollection or awareness of something. It indicates a total lapse in memory.

How can I use "completely forgot about" in a sentence?

You can use "completely forgot about" to express that something slipped your mind, such as, "I "completely forgot about" the meeting until I saw the reminder email."

What are some alternatives to saying "completely forgot about"?

Alternatives include "totally blanked on", "it slipped my mind", or "had no recollection of", which provide similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis.

Is it grammatically correct to say "completely forgot about"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase is a common and acceptable way to express a complete lack of memory regarding something.