please forget that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "please forget that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want someone to disregard or not remember something previously mentioned. Example: "If I said anything that upset you, please forget that; it wasn't my intention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Please forget that our franchise has not won a championship since, oh, we forget when.

The New York Times - Sports

Hunt Lieberson remarked that Debussy had begged his cast to "please forget that you are singers," and Massé replied, "Yes, but you must also never lose the core vibration of your voice".

The New Yorker

And please forget that outdated concept about how you're too much of a man to bother with such faff; the sale of grooming products is now worth an estimated £600m in the UK alone.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Let's, please, forget the idea that leaving the European Union would save Port Talbot.

The Guardian - Business

Please forget the past and please be sorry for me,' Khieu Samphan said, after declaring that his 'defection' marked the end of the Khmer Rouge.

The Guardian

(Please forget the ears).

WikiHow

So afterwards I wrote him a letter saying: "Please just forget that terrible lunch.

The Guardian - Film

Please don't forget that".

The New York Times

Don't forget that please".

Los Angeles Times

"Forget that," he said.

The New York Times

Sometimes you forget that ….

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "please forget that", ensure the context makes it clear what you are referring to. This avoids confusion and ensures your request is understood.

Common error

While "please forget that" is generally acceptable, frequent use in formal writing can sound dismissive. Opt for alternatives like "please disregard that" or "please ignore that" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "please forget that" functions as an imperative request. It politely directs the listener to disregard a previous statement or event. Ludwig examples showcase its use across various contexts, seeking to erase a past occurrence from memory.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "please forget that" is a grammatically sound phrase used to politely request the listener to disregard a previous statement or event. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it's more fitting for neutral to informal contexts. Alternatives like "please disregard that" or "please ignore that" may be more appropriate for formal settings. The phrase is mostly used in News & Media and Wiki.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Kindly disregard that

Emphasizes politeness while asking someone to ignore something.

Please disregard that

A slightly more formal way of asking someone to ignore something previously said or done.

Please ignore that

A direct request to overlook something.

Let's drop that

Suggests ceasing discussion or consideration of a particular topic.

Let's not talk about that

Avoids the topic altogether, implying a desire to move on.

Never mind that

Indicates that something is not important or should not be worried about.

Erase that from your memory

A more emphatic way of asking someone to forget something, often used humorously.

Pretend that didn't happen

Suggests acting as if an event never occurred, often used in awkward situations.

Act like that never happened

Similar to 'Pretend that didn't happen', emphasizing the desired behavior.

Don't dwell on that

Advises against focusing on a past event or statement.

FAQs

How can I politely ask someone to disregard something they heard?

You can use phrases like "please disregard that", "please ignore that", or simply say "that's not important" depending on the situation.

Is "please forget that" appropriate in formal communication?

While grammatically correct, "please forget that" might sound too casual for formal communication. Consider using more formal alternatives like "please disregard that" or "please ignore that" in those contexts.

What does "please forget that" imply?

It implies a request to disregard something previously mentioned, often because it was incorrect, unintentionally hurtful, or no longer relevant. It suggests the speaker wants the listener to not remember or consider what was said.

When is it best to use "please forget that" over other similar phrases?

Use "please forget that" when you want to directly ask someone to not remember something. It's best when you want to address a specific statement or event and move past it. For a more general request to ignore something, "please ignore that" may be more suitable.