may have forgotten

USAGE SUMMARY

"may have forgotten" is a grammatically correct phrase that is commonly used in written English.
It is typically used to suggest that something is a possibility or a potential explanation for a situation. Example: "I'm sorry, I may have forgotten to lock the door this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He may have forgotten about that ankle.

The New York Times - Sports

So you may have forgotten its word for drunkenness.

Independent

Here he is, for those who may have forgotten.

The Guardian - Film

I think, by now, he may have forgotten, too".

The New York Times - Magazine

Are there any old pensions you may have forgotten about?

The Guardian - Money

Then again, neighbors may have forgotten what the place used to look like.

The New York Times

"People may have forgotten his name but his family never gave up hope for justice.

Independent

"And just remind them of some of the things that they may have forgotten.

The New York Times

That, U.S. fans who may have forgotten, is called a goal.

The New York Times

We may have forgotten that Ann has had significant health problems that represent real struggles.

The New Yorker

Museums may have forgotten, but some of them were specifically created with children in mind.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may have forgotten" to politely suggest someone doesn't remember something, without directly accusing them of forgetfulness.

Common error

Avoid using "may have forgot" as it's grammatically incorrect. The correct form uses the past participle "forgotten".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may have forgotten" functions as a modal verb phrase expressing a possibility or speculation about a past action or state of forgetting. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase indicates uncertainty rather than a definite statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

24%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Wiki

14%

Reference

6%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "may have forgotten" is a common and grammatically sound modal verb phrase used to express the possibility of forgetting something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread usage. It's suitable for various contexts, from News & Media to Scientific writing, and provides a polite and speculative way to address potential memory lapses. When writing, remember to use the correct past participle "forgotten" and consider the level of certainty you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might have overlooked

Indicates a potential oversight or failure to notice something.

could have slipped their mind

Suggests something was not intentionally forgotten, but simply not remembered.

might not recall

Expresses uncertainty about someone's ability to remember something.

might have blanked on

Informal way of saying someone temporarily forgot something.

perhaps they don't remember

Suggests a polite possibility that someone doesn't remember something.

it's possible they've lost track of

Suggests something was gradually forgotten over time.

they could be forgiven for not remembering

Implies a forgotten memory and justifies forgetting about it.

it's conceivable they've forgotten

Suggests it's believable or imaginable that someone forgot.

they might not be aware

Emphasizes a potential lack of current knowledge, which stems from forgetting.

they potentially don't remember

Highlights the possibility that someone does not currently have the memory.

FAQs

How can I use "may have forgotten" in a sentence?

You can use "may have forgotten" to politely suggest that someone might not remember something, for example: "He "may have forgotten" about the appointment.".

What phrases are similar to "may have forgotten"?

Similar phrases include "might have overlooked", "could have slipped their mind", or "might not recall", each carrying slight differences in nuance.

Is "may have forgot" a correct alternative to "may have forgotten"?

No, "may have forgot" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is ""may have forgotten"", using the past participle.

What is the difference between "may have forgotten" and "has forgotten"?

"May have forgotten" implies a possibility or uncertainty about forgetting, while "has forgotten" states a definite fact that someone has forgotten something.