forgot how to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgot how to" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to a skill or ability that someone no longer remembers how to perform. Example: "I forgot how to ride a bike." Alternative expressions include "lost the ability to" and "no longer know how to."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She simply forgot how to serve.

The New Yorker

Then he literally forgot how to pitch.

The New Yorker

I actually forgot how to smile.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Twins forgot how to play with a lead.

The New York Times - Sports

A natural, he forgot how to enjoy the game.

The Guardian - Sport

His fingers forgot how to button a shirt".

The New Yorker

Getting on, yes, but he never forgot how to play.

The New York Times - Arts

In between Saints games, a lot of people forgot how to get along.

The New York Times - Magazine

I forgot how to paint — and I don't want to ruin my new duds.

The New Yorker

Checks mailed, I stopped for gas, and plumb forgot how to release the gas-cap door.

The New Yorker

Chanel became a household word and the world forgot how to pronounce "Schiaparelli".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot how to", ensure the context clearly indicates what skill or knowledge has been lost. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the sentence is easily understood.

Common error

Avoid using "forgotten how to" when "forgot how to" is sufficient. "Forgotten" implies a completed action with lasting effects, which might not always be the intended meaning. Stick to "forgot" for a simple past event of forgetting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot how to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a loss of ability or knowledge. Ludwig examples show its usage across various subjects, reflecting a past event where the ability to perform a specific action was lost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Wiki

1%

Huffington Post

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forgot how to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express the loss of a skill or ability. As evidenced by Ludwig examples, it's frequently used in news and media to describe individuals, teams, or even societies losing certain capabilities. While suitable for various contexts, maintaining clarity regarding the lost skill is important. The numerous examples available in Ludwig support its wide applicability and acceptability in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lost the ability to

Indicates a loss of capacity or skill, similar to forgetting.

no longer remembered how to

Emphasizes the loss of memory regarding a specific skill or action.

ceased to know how to

Highlights the termination of knowledge or skill.

unlearned how to

Suggests that a skill was once known but is now lost, possibly through disuse.

can't recall how to

Focuses on the inability to bring back to mind the process of doing something.

have no memory of how to

Highlights a complete absence of recollection regarding a skill.

skills have eroded

Implies a gradual decline in proficiency.

became unable to

Emphasizes a change in state, resulting in the loss of ability.

lost my touch

Idiomatic phrase indicating a decline in skill or expertise.

completely blanked on how to

Indicates a sudden and total inability to recall how to do something.

FAQs

What's the difference between "forgot how to" and "used to"?

"Forgot how to" indicates a loss of a skill or knowledge, while "used to" ("used to") simply means something was done regularly in the past but isn't anymore. You might still know how to do something you used to do.

What can I say instead of "forgot how to"?

You can use alternatives like "lost the ability to", "no longer remembered how to", or "became unable to" depending on the context.

How to use "forgot how to" in a sentence?

You can say "I forgot how to swim" to mean you once knew how to swim but no longer remember the technique. Or, "They forgot how to cooperate" implying a group lost the ability to work together effectively.

Is it correct to say "I have forgotten how to" instead of "I forgot how to"?

Both are grammatically correct, but "I forgot how to" is more common and direct. "I have forgotten how to" emphasizes the present state resulting from the past forgetting, but isn't always necessary.