tend to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

"tend to forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a general tendency to forget (i.e. people in general). For example, "People tend to forget that mistakes are part of learning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

We just tend to forget that".

The New Yorker

"People tend to forget that".

The New York Times - Sports

We tend to forget a lot.

The Guardian - Books

The cheap dates I tend to forget.

The Guardian - Books

People tend to forget the story.

The New York Times

"I tend to forget stuff," he said.

The New York Times - Magazine

Some people tend to forget this.

The New York Times

"But people tend to forget the meaning of fun".

The New York Times

But we tend to forget a few things.

The New Yorker

MOST adults tend to forget how vicious childhood games are.

The Economist

"And we tend to forget the importance of acting locally".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about the past, employ "tend to forget" to highlight aspects of history or prior situations that are often overlooked or minimized in current discussions.

Common error

While "tend to forget" is widely acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "are inclined to overlook" in academic papers or official reports. This adjustment ensures your writing maintains an appropriate level of formality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tend to forget" functions as a descriptor of human behavior, indicating a common or habitual pattern of memory lapse or oversight. Ludwig AI's examples showcase its use across diverse contexts, reinforcing its role in expressing general tendencies.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Science

18%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "tend to forget" is a versatile phrase used to describe common tendencies of oversight or memory lapse. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is grammatically correct and prevalent across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. While generally neutral in tone, it's advisable to consider more formal alternatives in academic settings. Remember, the phrase serves as a gentle reminder of what's often overlooked, making your communication more insightful and complete.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are inclined to overlook

Focuses on a tendency to disregard or fail to notice something.

are prone to overlooking

Suggests a susceptibility or vulnerability to missing key details.

have a habit of overlooking

Highlights a recurring pattern of missing or disregarding something.

commonly neglect to remember

Highlights the aspect of failing to recall information or events, with an emphasis on habitual neglect.

easily lose sight of

Implies a quick or effortless forgetting of a particular perspective or fact.

often fail to recall

Emphasizes the inability to bring something back to mind.

repeatedly disregard

Conveys a sense of continuously ignoring or dismissing something.

consistently neglect

Indicates a persistent failure to care for or attend to something.

regularly omit from memory

Highlights the systematic exclusion of information from one's recollections.

frequently disregard the importance of

Emphasizes overlooking the significance or value of something.

FAQs

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

You can use "tend to forget" to describe common oversights or memory lapses. For example, "People "tend to forget" the importance of regular exercise when life gets busy".

What are some alternatives to "tend to forget"?

Alternatives include phrases like "are inclined to overlook", "often fail to recall", or "easily lose sight of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "tends to forget" instead of "tend to forget"?

Yes, "tends to forget" is correct when referring to a singular subject (e.g., "He tends to forget appointments"), while "tend to forget" is used with plural subjects (e.g., "They "tend to forget" birthdays").

What's the difference between "tend to forget" and "are likely to forget"?

"Tend to forget" implies a habitual or common occurrence, while "are likely to forget" suggests a higher probability of forgetting in a specific situation. The former is more general, and the latter is more situational.