let me forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "let me forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a desire to move on from a memory or experience, often in a context of seeking relief from emotional pain. Example: "After everything that happened, I just want to let me forget the past and start anew."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Don't let me forget.

The New Yorker

Let me forget that face".

The New York Times

She hasn't let me forget it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Brain, I begged, please let me forget.

The New York Times - Magazine

My father never let me forget it.

The New York Times - Food

He never let me forget that.

The Guardian - Music

You never let me forget what happened to me.

The Guardian

Don't let me forget to give them to you.

The New Yorker

"His wife hasn't let me forget it yet," said Duvall.

The Guardian - Film

"Don't let me forget to give it to you, Mary".

The New Yorker

He will not let me forget this until we are back in the Premier League.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "let me forget" when you want to express a desire to move past a painful memory or experience. It's suitable for both informal and neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "let me forget" to suggest a literal or medically induced memory loss. The phrase implies a wish or desire, not an action to erase memories completely. For the latter, more precise terms like "induce amnesia" or "erase from my mind" might be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "let me forget" primarily functions as an imperative request. It expresses a desire or plea for the speaker to be allowed to move on from a particular memory or experience. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "let me forget" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to convey a desire to move past painful memories or experiences. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. While typically neutral in tone, it is crucial to remember that "let me forget" expresses a request or wish and should not be confused with active attempts to induce amnesia. Remember that you can use alternatives like "help me move on" or "allow me to disregard" depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

assist me in forgetting

This alternative emphasizes the need for external aid in the process of forgetting.

help me bury the past

Metaphorically suggests putting the past behind and moving forward.

help me move on

Focuses on the process of emotional recovery and progression from a past event.

allow me to erase from memory

Emphasizes the intention of completely removing something from one's memory.

allow me to disregard

This suggests a formal request to ignore something.

let me leave behind

Focuses on the action of abandoning or moving away from something.

let me not dwell on

Focuses on avoiding prolonged thought or focus on a particular subject.

enable me to overlook

Suggests a granting of permission to ignore or excuse something.

oblige me to disregard

Similar to "allow me to disregard" but carries a slightly stronger sense of obligation or necessity.

permit me to dismiss

Implies a formal allowance to reject or disregard something.

FAQs

How can I use "let me forget" in a sentence?

You can use "let me forget" to express a desire to move past a painful memory or experience. For example, "After the accident, I just wanted to "let me forget" the entire event".

What phrases are similar to "let me forget"?

Similar phrases include "help me move on", "allow me to disregard", or "help me bury the past", depending on the specific context.

Is "let me forget" formal or informal?

"Let me forget" is generally considered suitable for both informal and neutral contexts. However, in more formal settings, you might opt for phrases like "permit me to dismiss".

What's the difference between "let me forget" and "allow me to forget"?

The difference between "let me forget" and "allow me to forget" is subtle. "Allow me to forget" might be perceived as slightly more formal, while "let me forget" is more common in everyday language.