forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when instructing someone to not remember or to dismiss something from their mind. Example: "If you find the details overwhelming, just forget what I said about the timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Never forget.

The New York Times

Then by the time Twitter's finished amplifying their shock by a factor of 10, it's easy to forget that some of the justices will have a more complex thought process than was on display in their questioning.

The Guardian

Don't forget the chaos and fear of 2008.

The Economist

How quickly we forget.

The Guardian - Opinion

I will never forget that".

The New York Times - Sports

"During this depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that, for just 15 cents, an American can go to a movie and look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles," Franklin D Roosevelt stated in 1935, referring to the world's biggest and littlest star.

The Guardian - Film

He thanked the X Factor host, Dermot O'Leary, and Caroline Flack, the presenter of its ITV2 spin-off show The Xtra Factor, before appearing briefly to forget the name of the show's new co-host, Matt Richardson.

The Guardian

People here forget that the south Asian community worked in the factories.

The Guardian

David Moyes's first night as manager at Old Trafford last summer was one to forget, with Sevilla inflicting a 3-1 chasing that turned out to be a sign of things to come.

The Guardian - Sport

I have not been consistent enough for the first part of the season but don't forget that I am sixth in the race [to the ATP World Tour Finals].

The Guardian - Sport

And don't forget that in cold weather you'll have to heat the whole place.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone, use "don't forget" for emphasis.

Common error

Be mindful of the difference between "forget about" and "forget to". "Forget about" means to stop thinking about something, while "forget to" means to neglect doing something. For example, "Forget about the argument" vs. "I forgot to buy milk".

Linguistic Context

The verb "forget" functions as a transitive or intransitive verb, indicating the act of losing remembrance or unintentionally neglecting something. Ludwig examples show its use in various tenses and contexts, aligning with its standard grammatical function. Ludwig AI confirms that "forget" is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the verb "forget" is a common and versatile term used to express a lapse in memory or an unintentional neglect. Ludwig AI confirms that "forget" is correct and usable in written English. As illustrated by the Ludwig examples, it's frequently used in news and media contexts and across various tenses. The writing guidance emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between "forget about" and "forget to", and to avoid using "forget" when a deliberate action is intended. Common alternatives include "cease to remember" and "fail to recall", each offering slightly different nuances of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cease to remember

Emphasizes the end of remembering, similar to the core meaning of "forget".

be unable to remember

Directly states the lack of ability to recall something.

fail to recall

Highlights the inability to bring something back to mind.

draw a blank

Indicates a temporary inability to recall something specific.

lose sight of

Suggests a gradual detachment from a concept or idea, implying a form of "forgetting".

let slip one's memory

Suggests a passive process where something fades from recollection.

dismiss from mind

Focuses on actively rejecting a thought or concern, leading to "forgetting".

overlook

Highlights a failure to notice or consider something, resulting in a form of "forgetting" its importance.

leave behind

Implies unintentionally not including something, either physically or mentally, akin to "forgetting".

fall by the wayside

Suggests that something is neglected or abandoned, akin to being "forgotten".

FAQs

How do I use "forget" in a sentence?

"Forget" can be used in various contexts. Examples include: "I often "forget" people's names", "Don't "forget" to lock the door", or "Let's just "forget" it happened".

What are some synonyms for "forget"?

Synonyms for "forget" include "disremember", "overlook", "obliviate", or "cease to remember", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

What's the difference between "forget" and "ignore"?

"Forget" implies an unintentional failure to remember or consider something, while "ignore" suggests a conscious decision to disregard something. You "forget" your keys, but you might "ignore" someone's rude comment.

Is it correct to say "I forgotten"?

No, "forgotten" is the past participle of "forget" and is used with auxiliary verbs like "have". The correct form in the simple past tense is "forgot". For example, "I have forgotten" or "I forgot".