sorry for forgetting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sorry for forgetting" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it in response to or to apologize for forgetting something, such as an appointment, or to apologize for not remembering something. For example, you can say "I'm so sorry for forgetting our meeting last week. It won't happen again."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sorry for forgetting you.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

If you can't do any of the examples, just tell your teacher you forgot and you are sorry, or if you have passes for forgotten things, use one.

WikiHow

If you expect niceties such as "sorry for the inconvenience," forget it.

HuffPost

For instance, "I am sorry I forgot your birthday after all these years.

WikiHow

"She called me five minutes before this call, because she'd heard about it, and said, 'This is the ultimate,' and I said, 'Thanks, Mom, I'm sorry I forgot to call you.' " For Madden, the whirlwind meant the end of his eight-year run at Fox Sports: no more work on Sunday afternoons.

The New York Times - Sports

Oh, sorry, I forgot to take out my book for the flight.

The New York Times

Oh, sorry, I forgot — summer escapist fantasy.

The New York Times - Arts

"Oh, sorry, I forget," Gustave said.

The New York Times - Style

Hit it, MR. SEGUE MAN! Oh sorry, we forgot.

The New York Times

I'm sorry, I forgot to bring his picture".

The New York Times

6) Wait, no sorry, I forgot this is 2012.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "sorry for forgetting", immediately follow it with specific details about what you forgot and, if possible, offer a solution or make amends. For example, "I'm sorry for forgetting our meeting; let's reschedule it for tomorrow."

Common error

Avoid simply saying "sorry for forgetting" without specifying what you forgot. This can come across as insincere. Always provide the context to show you understand the impact of your oversight.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sorry for forgetting" functions as an apology, expressing regret for a failure to remember something. As Ludwig AI shows, it is a common way to acknowledge and apologize for oversights or memory lapses in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Academia

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorry for forgetting" is a grammatically sound and relatively common phrase used to express regret for a memory lapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as an apology and aims to repair social breaches caused by forgetting. While suitable for various contexts, specificity and sincerity enhance its impact. More formal alternatives exist for professional settings. Understanding its function and usage patterns ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i didn't mean to forget, i'm sorry

This conveys the unintentional nature of forgetting, followed by an apology.

i completely forgot, sorry

This conveys a simpler, more direct expression of forgetting, followed by an apology.

i am sorry that slipped my mind

This indicates that something was forgotten because it was not actively considered.

apologies for the oversight

This is a more formal way to express regret for forgetting something.

forgive me for not remembering

This is a direct request for forgiveness.

please excuse my forgetting

This is a polite request for understanding and forgiveness for forgetting something.

i regret my forgetfulness

This is a formal expression of regret for being forgetful.

so sorry, i had a memory blank

This attributes the forgetting to a temporary loss of memory, followed by an apology.

pardon my lapse in memory

This is a polite and formal way to apologize for forgetting.

my apologies for neglecting to remember

This is a highly formal and elaborate way of apologizing.

FAQs

How can I use "sorry for forgetting" in a sentence?

You can use "sorry for forgetting" to apologize for not remembering something. For example, "I'm so "sorry for forgetting" your birthday."

What's a more formal alternative to "sorry for forgetting"?

A more formal alternative could be "Please accept my apologies for the oversight" or "I sincerely regret my failure to remember".

Is it better to say "sorry I forgot" or "sorry for forgetting"?

Both "sorry I forgot" and "sorry for forgetting" are grammatically correct. "Sorry I forgot" is slightly more informal and direct, while ""sorry for forgetting"" is a bit more elaborate.

What can I say instead of "sorry for forgetting" in a professional context?

In a professional setting, you might say "I apologize for not recalling that information earlier" or "Please excuse my oversight; I should have remembered that".