forgetfulness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgetfulness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the state of being unable to remember things or the act of forgetting. Example: "Her forgetfulness often led to missed appointments and important deadlines."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When it comes to our online outpourings, forgetfulness is equally impossible.

The Guardian - Opinion

After his 2012 campaign was sunk by a moment's forgetfulness in a live debate, the former Texas governor's fresh attempt to win the Republican nomination would arguably benefit from a mass memory lapse by prospective voters.

The Guardian

They see reflected there, as in a glass, the present blights of social isolation, forgetfulness of history, cultural confusion; but they also see the forces of change somehow made to pause.

The Economist

So what's the worry?In this section Debt forgetfulness In a spin Into the fast lane A year in nine pictures Parallel economies Reprints Related items Art in Qatar: A Smithsonian in the sandDec 29th 2010One concern is how Dubai will meet its future payments.

The Economist

They have to overlook, too, ITT's enmeshment in the CIA's machinations against the democratically elected leftist government of Salvador Allende in Chile, which Anthony Sampson wrote about in "The Sovereign State" (1973).Such forgetfulness is worthwhile.

The Economist

Straight white men are especially vulnerable to this sort of amnesia.A dangerous misdiagnosisSuch forgetfulness can be partly blamed on a dominant national press that tends to report the grotesque exceptions not the blander rule.

The Economist

FORGETFULNESS is one of the most frustrating features of Alzheimer's disease a slow, degenerative condition that robs patients of their speech, movement and mental agility.

The Economist

PART of the appeal of conspiracy theories is that they are perversely reassuring, portraying, as they do, an omniscient government immune to error, forgetfulness and other human frailties.

The Economist

It also means that the anti-cramming mechanism is not merely a deficiency in the way that brains are put together, but seems to be a deliberate feature, as the evolutionary explanation predicts.As expected, when the amount of blocker CREB is increased, it has the same sort of effect as knocking out activator CREB inducing forgetfulness of the kind seen in Dr Kogan's mice.

The Economist

A statue at Seoul's war memorial, built in 1994, confirmed that capitalism had finally won: it depicts a taller South Korean clasping his admiring little North Korean brother in his arms.Yet reconciliation required "a tacit kind of forgetfulness," writes Ms Jager.

The Economist

You name it, we had it".Admittedly, taking Mr Geneen at his extraordinarily smug evaluation of himself requires an effort at forgetfulness on the part of his readers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing medical conditions or cognitive decline, use "forgetfulness" with sensitivity and consider providing context about the severity and potential causes.

Common error

Avoid using "forgetfulness" as a euphemism to downplay or dismiss serious issues of negligence or intentional ignorance. "Forgetfulness" implies an unintentional lapse, not a deliberate choice to ignore facts.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forgetfulness" is as a noun, referring to the state or quality of being forgetful. Ludwig confirms that "forgetfulness" is a noun that denotes a failure or inability to remember.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Encyclopedias

32%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "forgetfulness" is a versatile noun used to describe the state or quality of being forgetful. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and commonly used word across various contexts. Its prevalence is particularly evident in news media, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. While "forgetfulness" generally carries a neutral tone, its usage can become more formal and scientific depending on the context, especially when discussing medical conditions. When using "forgetfulness", it's crucial to differentiate it from related concepts like "negligence" or denial, ensuring that the term accurately reflects an unintentional lapse rather than a deliberate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

memory lapse

Focuses specifically on a temporary failure of memory.

absent-mindedness

Emphasizes a tendency to be preoccupied and inattentive, leading to forgetting things.

loss of memory

Directly indicates the state of not being able to recall information.

failure to remember

Highlights the act of not being able to bring something to mind.

mental blank

Describes a sudden inability to recall something, often temporarily.

lapse of concentration

Indicates a temporary inability to focus, leading to missed information and potential forgetting.

oblivion

Suggests a complete lack of awareness or memory of something.

inattentiveness

Focuses on a lack of attention, which can cause oversight and forgetting.

carelessness

Indicates a lack of attention to detail, possibly causing things to be forgotten.

amnesia

Implies a significant memory loss, usually due to a medical condition or trauma.

FAQs

How can I use "forgetfulness" in a sentence?

"Forgetfulness" can be used to describe a general tendency to forget things, as in, "Her forgetfulness caused her to miss several appointments." It can also describe a specific instance of forgetting, such as, "A moment of forgetfulness led to a critical error".

What are some words similar to "forgetfulness"?

Alternatives include "memory lapse", "absent-mindedness", "loss of memory", or "oblivion", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "forgetfulness" a symptom of a serious condition?

While occasional forgetfulness is normal, frequent or severe forgetfulness can be a symptom of conditions like Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Consult a healthcare professional if you are concerned.

What is the difference between "forgetfulness" and "negligence"?

"Forgetfulness" typically refers to an unintentional inability to remember, while "negligence" implies a failure to exercise reasonable care, often leading to harm. While "carelessness" can cause forgetfulness, negligence involves a breach of duty.