liable to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

"liable to forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that someone is likely to forget something. For example, "My mother is becoming elderly and is liable to forget important appointments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

People are liable to "forget" sexual behavior or underreport it because hooking up and sleeping around are still frowned upon (at least in some antediluvian circles).

The New York Times

I lack close family or friends to support me and on the many days I spend alone I am liable to forget how to talk.

The Guardian

Her supersexual powers put her in the middle of a war between competing nonhuman factions, in a scenario derivative of so many series (beginning with "True Blood") that you're liable to forget which one you're actually watching.

The New York Times - Arts

So long have the British – let alone the English – taken the answer to this question for granted that we are liable to forget quite how much a nation needs ideas of collective identity to flourish.

The Guardian - Opinion

But if they don't advertise on TV every few minutes or cover the streets with posters, people are so busy with their own problems that they're liable to forget all about it.

The Guardian

Reading it again recently, though, after an interval of fifteen years, it seemed a different book — very funny, for starters, a trait one is liable to forget because of the novel's melancholy arc.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

It's liable to leave you queasy".

The Guardian - Film

That's advice liable to leave you stranded and helpless.

WikiHow

To forget?

Yale University

I manage to forget it".

Conflict and Health

It can be too easy to forget food amid the rush for bargains but not eating for energy will leave you feeling tired and irritable, and more liable to blowing up at your fellow customers as they snatch the last limited bargain from under your nose.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "liable to forget" when you want to emphasize a high probability that someone will forget something, often due to a specific condition or circumstance. For example, "Due to his age, he is "liable to forget" where he put his keys."

Common error

While both "liable" and "likely" suggest probability, "liable" often implies an undesirable outcome or consequence. Be mindful of this connotation when using "liable to forget"; if there's no negative implication, "likely to forget" might be a more neutral choice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "liable to forget" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject by indicating a high probability that the subject will forget something. As Ludwig AI suggests, it implies a strong likelihood of forgetting. Examples show its use in describing tendencies or expected behaviors.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "liable to forget" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express a high probability of someone forgetting something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. While not as common as alternatives like "likely to forget", "liable to forget" often carries a slightly stronger implication of a negative outcome. The phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. When using "liable to forget", consider whether the negative connotation aligns with your intended meaning; if not, a more neutral alternative may be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

likely to forget

Replaces "liable" with "likely", maintaining the same meaning but with a slightly more common usage.

prone to forgetting

Substitutes "liable to" with "prone to", highlighting a tendency or inclination towards forgetting.

apt to forget

Uses "apt to" instead of "liable to", suggesting a natural or inherent tendency to forget.

inclined to forget

Replaces "liable to" with "inclined to", indicating a predisposition or leaning towards forgetting.

tends to forget

Uses "tends to" to convey a habitual or frequent occurrence of forgetting.

has a tendency to forget

Expands on "tends to forget", making the tendency more explicit and formal.

is forgetful

Simplifies the phrase to a direct adjective describing someone who forgets easily.

may forget

Uses "may" to express a possibility of forgetting, rather than a strong likelihood.

could forget

Similar to "may forget", but suggests a slightly lower probability.

at risk of forgetting

Highlights the potential negative consequences of forgetting, adding a sense of vulnerability.

FAQs

How can I use "liable to forget" in a sentence?

You can use "liable to forget" to indicate a high probability of someone forgetting something. For example, "Without reminders, she is "liable to forget" her medication."

What are some alternatives to "liable to forget"?

You can use alternatives like "likely to forget", "prone to forgetting", or "apt to forget" depending on the context.

Is "liable to forget" formal or informal?

"Liable to forget" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very informal contexts, you might prefer saying someone "tends to forget" or "is forgetful".

What's the difference between "liable to forget" and "likely to forget"?

While both indicate a high probability, "liable to forget" often carries a slightly stronger implication of a negative consequence or undesirable outcome compared to "likely to forget".