forgot to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgot to" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are in need of referring to something that someone was supposed to do but didn't. For example: "I forgot to bring my lunch to school today."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I forgot to ask.

Independent

You forgot to say goodbye.

The New York Times

They forgot to hate him.

The New Yorker

Sophie, who forgot to count.

The New Yorker

The typist forgot to space.

The New Yorker

"Honey, I forgot to duck".

Independent

He forgot to log off.

The New Yorker

I forgot to mention that".

The New Yorker

I forgot to introduce myself.

The New Yorker

I forgot to tell you.

The New Yorker

He forgot to tell them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot to", ensure the context makes it clear what action was forgotten. Clarity is key to effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using the present tense "forget" when referring to a past action. "Forgot" is the past tense and should be used to describe something you didn't remember to do previously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot to" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to remember or perform a specific action. As evidenced by Ludwig, it is widely used to express omissions. For instance, "I forgot to lock the door".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

41%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forgot to" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a missed action or forgotten obligation. As Ludwig AI confirms, its straightforward meaning makes it suitable for various contexts, ranging from casual conversations to news reports. While simple, it's important to use "forgot to" in the correct tense and ensure clarity in the context of the forgotten action. Related phrases like "neglected to" or "didn't remember to" can offer more formal or nuanced alternatives, but "forgot to" remains a reliable choice for most situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it slipped my mind to

Suggests a temporary lapse in memory regarding an action.

didn't recall to

Directly states the lack of memory regarding an action.

failed to remember to

Emphasizes the failure in recalling the need to do something.

omitted to

Highlights the act of leaving something out unintentionally.

neglected to

Highlights a lack of attention or care in remembering an action.

missed doing

Highlights the missed opportunity to perform an action.

overlooked the need to

Focuses on missing the importance or necessity of an action.

I didn't think to

Indicates an absence of considering the need for an action.

left undone

Focuses on the state of the action remaining uncompleted.

didn't get around to

Implies a lack of opportunity or intention to complete an action.

FAQs

How can I use "forgot to" in a sentence?

You can use "forgot to" to describe a past action that you failed to remember. For example, "I "forgot to lock the door"" or "She "forgot to call me"".

What's a more formal way to say "forgot to"?

In more formal contexts, you can use phrases like "neglected to" or "failed to remember to" instead of "forgot to".

Is it ever incorrect to use "forgot to"?

The phrase "forgot to" is generally correct. However, ensure you use the correct tense and that the context clearly indicates what action was forgotten. For example, avoid saying "I forget to" when you mean "I "forgot to"".

What is the difference between "forgot to" and "didn't remember to"?

"Forgot to" and "didn't remember to" are very similar in meaning and can often be used interchangeably. "Didn't remember to" might slightly emphasize the lack of recollection, but the difference is subtle.