occasionally forgot

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "occasionally forgot" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone fails to remember something from time to time. Example: "I occasionally forgot to bring my lunch to work, which led to some unexpected trips to the cafeteria."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

He kept a number of motorcycles, his preferred mode of transportation, and occasionally forgot where he left them.

The New York Times - Sports

There were still some lingering memory problems — he occasionally forgot the names of rare diseases or surgical procedures — but his surgical skills were unimpaired.

The New Yorker

Dr. Thomson said that, in the course of his travels, he occasionally forgot that he and Mr. Ean owned the land.

The New York Times

Farrior, a linebacker with Pittsburgh, said that the linebackers coach, Keith Butler, occasionally forgot that there was a two- or three-second delay from the time he pushed the button to when Farrior could hear him.

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, I think you can still glean that kind of folk heritage in some 1940s and 50s Hollywood films, like when comedies occasionally forgot the ruthless plot focus of commercial cinema, and let their characters revert back to gratuitous knockabout japes that feel as though they belong on the stage.

The Guardian - Film

He admitted he occasionally forgot to check passports of foreign nationals and said he became suspicious of one or two couples, but only because of the vast differences in age between bride and groom.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Both have nativists who dislike migrants and occasionally forget to distinguish between illegal and merely brown.

The Economist

Truly hopeless, I occasionally forget to enter a book I've just read.

The New York Times - Books

Too often the Ravens drifted into unbalanced game plans, occasionally forgetting about Rice.

The New York Times

Even if, as she admits, she occasionally forgets where she left her glasses.

The New York Times

It gets so quiet here at night, I occasionally forget how vibrant the surrounding area is.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "occasionally forgot", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject's capacity for memory is generally intact. This emphasizes that the forgetting is an infrequent occurrence, not a chronic condition.

Common error

Avoid using "occasionally forgot" when the subject's memory lapses are frequent or habitual. This phrase implies a rare lapse, so using it in cases of regular forgetfulness would be misleading.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "occasionally forgot" functions as an adverbial modifier combined with a verb. The adverb "occasionally" modifies the verb "forgot", indicating that the act of forgetting happened intermittently. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

29%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "occasionally forgot" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe intermittent instances of forgetfulness. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness, and its presence across reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian indicates its acceptability in neutral contexts. While semantically similar phrases such as "sometimes failed to recall" or "periodically slipped my mind" exist, "occasionally forgot" strikes a balance between formality and everyday language. When using this phrase, ensure that the context appropriately reflects the infrequency of the memory lapses, avoiding its use when describing habitual forgetfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sometimes failed to recall

Replaces 'occasionally' with 'sometimes' and 'forgot' with 'failed to recall', emphasizing the failure to remember.

periodically slipped my mind

Substitutes 'occasionally' with 'periodically' and rephrases 'forgot' to 'slipped my mind', offering a more idiomatic expression of forgetfulness.

in moments of forgetfulness

Replaces the original phrase with a description of a state, focusing on the moments when forgetfulness occurs.

now and then omitted to remember

A more formal alternative using 'now and then' instead of 'occasionally' and 'omitted to remember' for 'forgot'.

intermittently lost track of

Focuses on losing track of something intermittently instead of directly forgetting.

at times didn't quite remember

Uses 'at times' for 'occasionally' and expands 'forgot' to 'didn't quite remember' for added emphasis.

would sometimes neglect to recall

Emphasizes the neglect in recalling something at times, offering a stronger sense of oversight.

once in a while blanked on

A more informal alternative using "blanked on" instead of forgot, and "once in a while" instead of "occasionally".

sporadically had lapses in memory

Highlights the sporadic nature of memory lapses, shifting the focus from the action of forgetting to the condition itself.

infrequently was unable to recollect

Employs a more formal tone with 'infrequently' and 'unable to recollect', indicating a rare inability to remember.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "occasionally forgot" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "infrequently recalled" or "sporadically failed to remember". These options offer a more sophisticated and less casual way to express intermittent forgetfulness.

Is it correct to use "occasionally forgot" in academic writing?

Yes, "occasionally forgot" is grammatically correct, but consider the formality of your writing. In some academic contexts, more precise or formal alternatives like "intermittently failed to recall" might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "occasionally forgot" and "frequently forgot"?

"Occasionally forgot" implies that forgetting happened rarely, whereas "frequently forgot" suggests it occurred often. Using the correct adverb is crucial to accurately convey the frequency of memory lapses.

What are some synonyms for "occasionally forgot" that are suitable for informal conversation?

In informal conversation, you could use phrases like "sometimes blanked on", "periodically slipped my mind", or "would sometimes forget". These options are more relaxed and conversational.