forgot to do something

USAGE SUMMARY

'forgot to do something' is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It is typically used to describe a situation in which someone has failed to remember or do something that was expected or required of them. Example: I forgot to turn off the stove before leaving the house. In this sentence, the speaker is admitting that they did not remember to perform the action of turning off the stove before leaving, indicating that it was a mistake or oversight on their part.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

We also heard about some new updates coming to Alexa, including Hunches, a system where Alexa will learn about certain smart home habits and offer occasional suggestions if it gets the feeling you forgot to do something like turn off an outdoor porch light before you go to bed.

TechCrunch

Someone forgot to do something.

Vice

It started with anxiety that I forgot to do something back at home – pay bills, turn off utilities, stop mail delivery, finish up work-related duties, and so on.

Los Angeles Times

You probably forgot to do something.

WikiHow

If you aren't that bored/ sleep deprived, pretend to remain interested, make a few remarks, or just leave claiming to have to do something else or that you forgot to do something, or some other excuse.

WikiHow

It's like a food you're trying not to eat, you'll eat it if others around you are eating it, but if you see that others are happy to have this habit, just say you forgot to do something and politely leave.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Did I forget to do something?

The New York Times - Food

But if you forget to do something here, it really is life or death".

The Guardian - Sport

And now, he said, he often goes around feeling like he has forgotten to do something, then remembers that he would ordinarily have been checking in with her.

The New York Times

But isn't it possible that you'll get distracted by these games and forget to do something more important that you were doing before you began playing the game?

The New Yorker

On the other hand, many people whose memories are excellent are troubled by those few times they have forgotten to do something, and so exaggerate in their minds the frequency with which they forget.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot to do something", ensure the context clearly indicates what was meant to be done. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the reader understands the oversight.

Common error

Avoid using "forgot to do something" as a blanket excuse for not completing a task when negligence or lack of prioritization is the real reason. Acknowledge the actual cause to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot to do something" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to remember or perform a particular action. Ludwig AI confirms its common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Wiki

34%

Science

9%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forgot to do something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate a failure to remember or perform an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "failed to remember to do something" in formal writing. It's crucial to ensure context clarifies what was "forgotten" to avoid ambiguity, and honesty about the reason for the oversight is essential for maintaining credibility. Common contexts for its use include news and media, wikis, and scientific writing. To enhance your writing, consider varying your language by using phrases like "neglected to do something" or "omitted to do something".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't remember to do something

A more direct and simple way of expressing the failure to recall an action.

it slipped my mind to do something

Emphasizes that it was a genuine unintentional forgotten action.

failed to remember to do something

Highlights the memory aspect of forgetting, adding emphasis to the failure of recall.

missed doing something

A general term for failing to do something, often without specifying the reason.

neglected to do something

Emphasizes a lack of attention or care in failing to do something.

omitted to do something

Focuses on the act of leaving something out or failing to include it.

overlooked doing something

Suggests that the action was missed due to being unnoticed or disregarded.

inadvertently skipped doing something

Indicates that the action was missed unintentionally or accidentally.

let something slip one's mind

Uses an idiomatic expression to convey the idea of forgetting.

lost track of doing something

Implies that the action was forgotten due to a disruption or distraction.

FAQs

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

You can use "forgot to do something" in a sentence to express that you didn't remember or failed to perform an action. For example, "I forgot to buy milk at the store" or "She forgot to submit the report on time."

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

Both phrases are grammatically correct and mean the same thing. "Forgot" is the simple past tense, while "forgotten" is the past participle, often used with auxiliary verbs like "have." For example, "I forgot to lock the door" and "I have forgotten to lock the door" are both correct.

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

Alternatives include "failed to remember to do something", "neglected to do something", or "omitted to do something", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "forgot to do something" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "forgot to do something" can sound informal or casual. In formal writing, consider using alternatives that convey a more professional tone, such as "failed to do something" or "neglected to do something".