forgot to do

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgot to do" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to an action that you intended to complete but did not remember to do. Example: "I forgot to do my homework last night." Alternative expressions include "failed to do" and "neglected to do."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One day, I forgot to do that.

The New York Times - Science

This time, they forgot to do that.

Harvard University

Guess what I forgot to do.

The Guardian

But this year I forgot to do that.

The New York Times

"Forgot to do that," he'd said, and she'd laughed.

The New Yorker

Maybe it just remembered something you forgot to do.

Harvard Business Review

But I believe that he forgot to do that himself".

The Guardian - Sport

I forgot to do it until after dinner.

The New York Times

Except, of course, I forgot to do the pre-shop measuring when I bought my faucet.

The New York Times

By looking consistently into the camera during his closing remarks, which Obama somehow forgot to do.

The New York Times

"Guess we forgot to do that the first go around," Ms. Combs tweeted.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot to do", ensure the context clearly indicates what action was omitted and the reason for the omission, if relevant. This enhances clarity and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "forgot to do" when you mean "forgot doing". The former implies you didn't remember to perform an action, while the latter suggests you don't recall performing the action at all. Be mindful of the intended meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot to do" functions as a verb phrase expressing a failure to remember or perform a specific action. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, consistently indicating an omission of a planned or expected task.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

6%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "forgot to do" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a failure to remember or perform an action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. To ensure clarity, specify the omitted action and its reason. Avoid confusing it with "forgot doing", which has a different meaning. While versatile, be aware of the subtle differences between "forgot to do" and alternatives like "failed to perform" or "neglected to complete".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't remember to do

Directly states a failure of memory.

it slipped my mind to do

Indicates that something was forgotten unintentionally.

failed to perform

Emphasizes the lack of completion of an action.

neglected to complete

Highlights a lack of attention or care in not finishing something.

omitted to undertake

Suggests a more formal or deliberate failure to start something.

overlooked doing

Focuses on the unintentional aspect of not doing something.

didn't get around to doing

Suggests a lack of time or prioritization.

missed the opportunity to do

Highlights that an opportunity was lost.

was remiss in doing

Implies a sense of duty or obligation that wasn't fulfilled.

left undone

Focuses on the state of something not being completed.

FAQs

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

You can use "forgot to do" to indicate that someone did not remember to perform a specific action. For example, "I "forgot to do" my homework last night".

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

You can use alternatives like "failed to perform", "neglected to complete", or "didn't remember to do" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say "I forgot doing" instead of "I forgot to do"?

The phrases have different meanings. "I forgot to do" means you didn't remember to perform an action. "I forgot doing" means you don't remember performing the action, so it depends of the correct usage of each one.

What's the difference between "forgot to do" and "neglected to do"?

"Forgot to do" implies a lack of memory, while "neglected to do" suggests a lack of attention or care. The difference lies in whether the omission was due to memory or lack of diligence.