forgot to pick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "forgot to pick" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to not remembering to collect or retrieve something or someone. Example: "I forgot to pick up the groceries on my way home."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

HuffPost

The New York Times

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

37 human-written examples

Stepdad forgot to pick up the dry cleaning.

The New York Times

"They forgot to pick up the phone and call me.

The New York Times - Arts

What do you mean you forgot to pick up the milk?

The New York Times

"Admit it, Hillary makes you feel like you forgot to pick up the dry cleaning".

The New Yorker

There was a guy who came home, forgot to pick up potatoes, and his wife stabbed him in the heart.

The New York Times

My poor child had been so thrown by the event that she forgot to pick up her bag of chocolate candy.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

I had forgotten to pick up the questions on Friday.

The New Yorker

Don't forget to pick up fuel to run it, though.

The New York Times - Tech

Don't forget to pick a domain name that is catchy and search-engine friendly.

The Guardian - Travel

She walked home late, forgetting to pick up fish from Mr. Earl.

The New Yorker

Michelle Obama cracked wise about the guy who forgets to pick up his socks.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "forgot to pick", ensure the context clearly indicates what was supposed to be picked up. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "forgot picking" when you mean "forgot to pick". The former implies you forgot the act of picking, while the latter means you forgot to retrieve something.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "forgot to pick" functions as a verb phrase indicating a failure to remember and perform the action of selecting or collecting something or someone. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

HuffPost

20%

The New York Times

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "forgot to pick" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to describe the act of failing to remember to collect something or someone. Ludwig AI provides many examples, confirming its widespread use across various contexts. While acceptable in most situations, formal writing may benefit from alternatives like "failed to retrieve". The phrase's neutral register and common occurrence make it a versatile choice for everyday communication. Pay attention to common errors like confusing it with "forgot picking" and use specific language to be clear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

didn't remember to get

Rephrases the entire phrase to emphasize the lack of remembrance in obtaining something.

neglected to collect

Replaces "forgot" with "neglected" and "pick" with "collect", suggesting a lack of care rather than simple forgetfulness.

failed to retrieve

Substitutes "forgot" with "failed" and "pick" with "retrieve", indicating a lack of success in obtaining something.

omitted to gather

Uses "omitted" instead of "forgot" and "gather" instead of "pick", implying a deliberate oversight in collecting something.

overlooked obtaining

Replaces "forgot" with "overlooked" and restructures the phrase to use "obtaining" as a gerund.

missed the opportunity to collect

Expands the phrase to highlight the missed chance to collect something.

didn't manage to grab

Uses "didn't manage" and "grab" to convey a lack of success in quickly obtaining something.

was remiss in collecting

Employs "remiss" to indicate a failure to fulfill a duty in collecting something.

left behind

Shortens the phrase to focus on the act of leaving something behind, implying forgetfulness.

abandoned picking up

Uses "abandoned" to suggest a deliberate choice not to pick something up, even if it was unintentional.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "forgot to pick" in formal writing?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "failed to retrieve" or "neglected to collect" to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "forgot to pick" and "forgot picking"?

"Forgot to pick" means you didn't remember to retrieve something, while "forgot picking" means you forgot the actual act of selecting or gathering. For example, "I forgot to pick up the groceries" versus "I forgot picking apples last fall".

Is "forgot to pick up" grammatically correct?

Yes, "forgot to pick up" is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's a slightly more emphatic version of "forgot to pick" and often used when referring to collecting something or someone.

What are some common things people "forgot to pick"?

Common examples include groceries, children from school, dry cleaning, or medications. The phrase is versatile and applicable to various retrieval scenarios.