forgot to call

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgot to call" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating that someone did not remember to make a phone call. Example: "I forgot to call my friend yesterday." Alternative expressions include "failed to call" and "neglected to call."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I forgot to call my mother".

The New Yorker

Sorry I forgot to call".

The New York Times - Health

Or you opened it, but forgot to call.

The New York Times

He never forgot to call Mr. Dowd on his birthday.

The New York Times

"I forgot to call Lenore," Marcia was saying as they walked.

The New Yorker

You forgot to call your family & now you're ready to write an explicit bible of love.

The New Yorker

But even when things got hectic, she never forgot to call.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Forget to call.

The New Yorker

Agents forget to call you.

The Guardian - Sport

"Don't forget to call the Fire Department".

The New Yorker

· DON'T forget to call ahead.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing past events, ensure that the verb tense aligns with the timeline. For example, use "had forgotten to call" if you are referring to an action that occurred before another past action.

Common error

Avoid mixing past and present tenses when describing why you "forgot to call". For instance, don't say "I forgot to call because I am busy"; instead, use "I forgot to call because I was busy".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot to call" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to remember and perform the action of making a phone call. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its usage in various contexts, from personal obligations to professional responsibilities.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Wiki

15%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forgot to call" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone failed to remember to make a phone call. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usage across various contexts, particularly in news media and informal settings. While alternatives like "failed to call" or "neglected to contact" exist, "forgot to call" maintains a neutral tone suitable for most situations. When using this phrase, ensure consistency in verb tense and consider the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

failed to phone

Replaces "call" with "phone", emphasizing the method of communication.

neglected to contact

Uses "neglected" to highlight a sense of duty or obligation that was not fulfilled.

didn't remember to ring

Uses "ring" as a more informal substitute for "call", and "didn't remember" for "forgot".

omitted to telephone

More formal, using "omitted" and "telephone" to indicate a formal register.

left uncalled

Expresses the state of being not called, rather than the action of forgetting.

didn't get around to calling

Indicates a lack of time or prioritization, implying it wasn't a deliberate choice.

missed the opportunity to call

Focuses on the lost chance or possibility of calling.

was remiss in calling

Highlights a failure to fulfill a duty or expectation.

overlooked making a call

Emphasizes that the action of calling was unintentionally ignored.

lost track of calling

Highlights the act of losing the time.

FAQs

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

You can use "forgot to call" to indicate a failure to remember making a phone call, such as "I "forgot to call" my mom on her birthday" or "He "forgot to call" the client back after the meeting".

What's a less direct way to say "forgot to call"?

Instead of saying "I "forgot to call"", you could say "It slipped my mind to call" or "I didn't get around to calling". These phrases soften the directness of admitting you forgot.

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

You can use alternatives like "I "failed to call"", "I "neglected to call"", or "I "didn't remember to call"", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "forgot to call" or "forgot calling"?

"Forgot to call" implies that you didn't remember to make a call that you intended to make. "Forgot calling" suggests that you called, but don't remember the conversation or act of calling. The correct choice depends on your intended meaning.