forgot

USAGE SUMMARY

'forgot' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to someone forgetting something, either in the past or present. For example: "I forgot to call my mom on her birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I never forgot that.

The New York Times - Magazine

I forgot!

The Guardian - Film

I never forgot that day".

The New York Times

The closer than expected result will put immense pressure on Ed Miliband who has faced criticism after he forgot to mention the deficit in his Labour conference speech.

The Guardian

One well-known actor once told me how he lost a lucrative contract for a leading brand of dog food after he momentarily forgot this golden rule.

The Guardian

He placed his toothpaste and brush on a log at the foot of the steps; and later forgot where he had left them.

The Guardian - Books

By focusing on the harrier we forgot about the generic landscape – what happens here and what's made the harrier come here in the first place.

The Guardian

Repeatedly, you run into places where Sony apparently forgot that the Dash has a touch screen.

The New York Times - Tech

All of them so busy breaking their backs to shoehorn in the right pop culture references that along the way they forgot to be interesting or even competent.

The Guardian - Film

Stars like the Shauna Lowry from Animal Hospital and the one you always forgot was in Boyzone were squeezed into tiny pieces of lycra, taught to fight and set upon each other in an orgiastic din of razzle-dazzle.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They forgot that Simeone himself had described the league as "impossible" and "boring".

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot", ensure the context clearly indicates what was forgotten. Add specific details to enhance clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "I forgot", specify "I forgot to lock the door".

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when using "forgot". Ensure that the entire sentence maintains a consistent past tense if describing a past event. Instead of saying "I forgot and I don't do it", say "I forgot and didn't do it".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forgot" is as the simple past tense of the verb "forget". It describes an action of failing to remember something that occurred in the past. This is supported by Ludwig AI which confirms it to be correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forgot" serves as the simple past tense of "forget", expressing a failure to remember something in the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and versatile. With its neutral register, it fits seamlessly into various communication styles, from formal to informal, and appears most frequently in news and media contexts. Remember to use it consistently in the past tense and provide specific details to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to remember

Highlights the failure in recalling something, adding a layer of responsibility or expectation.

didn't recall

Emphasizes the lack of recollection, often used when discussing past events.

left behind

Focuses on the act of omitting something, suitable when discussing missed items or details.

overlooked

Indicates something was missed due to inattention or lack of scrutiny.

slipped my mind

Suggests a temporary lapse in memory, often implying the information was known but not immediately accessible.

lost track of

Implies a gradual forgetting, where focus or awareness diminished over time.

was unaware

Highlights a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something.

neglected to

Indicates a failure to perform an action, often due to carelessness or lack of diligence.

disremembered

A less common term for forgetting, emphasizing the loss of memory.

drew a blank

Indicates a sudden inability to remember something, often in a specific moment.

FAQs

How can I use "forgot" in a sentence?

You can use "forgot" to describe a past action that you failed to remember or do. For example, "I forgot my keys" or "She forgot to call her mother".

What can I say instead of "forgot"?

You can use alternatives like "failed to remember", "didn't recall", or "slipped my mind" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "forgot" or "forgotten"?

"Forgot" is the simple past tense of "forget", while "forgotten" is the past participle. Use "forgot" for simple past tense (e.g., "I forgot my wallet"), and "forgotten" with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "be" (e.g., "I have forgotten his name", "It was long forgotten").

What's the difference between "forgot" and "left behind"?

"Forgot" implies a failure to remember something. "Left behind" refers to physically leaving something in a different place than where you are, but the nuance is to forget to pick something up.