prefer to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "prefer to forget" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used when discussing things that someone would rather not remember. For example, "I prefer to forget about my embarrassing dance performance last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What might we prefer to forget?

Independent

Small wonder they would prefer to forget.

The Guardian - Film

For old friendship's sake — I prefer to forget your words.

The New Yorker

There are memories Mekas would prefer to forget.

The Guardian - Arts

A result that most reds would prefer to forget.

The Guardian - Sport

After tea Clarkeleft in circumstances he would prefer to forget.

The Guardian - Sport

That rule is certainly something most people prefer to forget.

The New York Times - Arts

It features old tales that both men would probably prefer to forget.

Independent

Which expressions do you remember fondly, and which would you prefer to forget?

The New Yorker

Vasily Mishin the loser is a name they prefer to forget.

The Economist

A man's rivalry with women can be traced to a knowledge he would prefer to forget.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "prefer to forget" when you want to convey a deliberate choice to not remember something, often due to its unpleasant or painful nature. For example, "I prefer to forget that embarrassing incident."

Common error

Avoid using "prefer to forget" in highly formal or professional settings where a more neutral or objective tone is expected. Instead, consider phrases like "would rather not discuss" or "do not wish to elaborate on" to maintain a sense of decorum.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "prefer to forget" functions as a verbal phrase expressing a preference or inclination towards not remembering something. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It indicates a deliberate choice to avoid dwelling on a particular memory or experience.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "prefer to forget" is a grammatically correct and very common expression used to convey a desire to avoid remembering something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread usage. It typically appears in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media, and expresses a subjective preference for not dwelling on specific memories or experiences. While versatile, it's advisable to avoid using it in highly formal settings, opting for more neutral alternatives instead. Related phrases include "would rather not remember" and "choose to disregard".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not want to recall

Directly states a lack of desire to bring something back to conscious awareness.

avoid thinking about

Focuses on the act of steering clear of certain thoughts or topics.

rather not dwell on

Focuses on avoiding thinking or speaking about a particular subject.

try to block out

Indicates an effort to suppress or prevent a memory from surfacing.

choose to disregard

Emphasizes a conscious decision to ignore or not consider something.

wish to leave unremembered

Implies a hope that something will not be recalled or kept in memory.

opt to omit from memory

Highlights the active selection of removing something from one's recollections.

repress the memory of

Highlights the psychological process of pushing a memory into the unconscious.

would sooner erase from mind

Suggests a strong desire to completely eliminate a memory.

let slip from one's consciousness

Suggests allowing something to fade from awareness without active effort.

FAQs

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

You can use "prefer to forget" to express a desire to not remember something. For example, "I prefer to forget about the argument we had last night."

What can I say instead of "prefer to forget"?

You can use alternatives like "would rather not remember", "choose to disregard", or "opt to omit from memory" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "prefer to forgot"?

No, "prefer to forgot" is grammatically incorrect. The correct form is "prefer to forget", where "forget" is the base form of the verb.

What's the difference between "prefer to forget" and "try to forget"?

"Prefer to forget" implies a choice or desire to not remember something, while "try to forget" suggests an effort or attempt to suppress a memory, which may or may not be successful.