tends to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

"tends to forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when talking about someone who has a habit of forgetting things. For example, "My brother tends to forget important dates like birthdays and anniversaries."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

This, he thinks, is something the public tends to forget.

The Guardian

She tends to forget her homework and is unprepared for tests.

The New York Times - Style

"Nancy Pelosi tends to forget that there is an executive branch," chortles the National Review.

The Guardian - Opinion

Well, America's executive branch tends to forget that there's this thing called diplomacy.

The Guardian - Opinion

One tends to forget just how absurd Greek finances were when he took over.

The New York Times

Moreover, citrus, as one tends to forget in this culture of constant availability, is a winter crop.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

We just tend to forget that".

The New Yorker

"People tend to forget that".

The New York Times - Sports

Sometimes, we adolescents tend to forget that.

Harvard University

We tend to forget a lot.

The Guardian - Books

The cheap dates I tend to forget.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general human tendency, use "tends to forget" to show it's a common but not universal experience. For instance, "One tends to forget how much effort goes into maintaining a long-term relationship."

Common error

Avoid using "tends to forget" when describing someone's deliberate ignorance or intentional oversight. The phrase implies unintentional forgetfulness, not willful disregard.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "tends to forget" functions as a verb phrase indicating a habitual or characteristic action of forgetting. It suggests a recurring pattern rather than a one-time event. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is perfectly valid in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "tends to forget" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression in English to describe a habitual act of forgetting. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is suitable for various contexts and registers. The most common usage appears in news and media, followed by scientific and formal business settings. Related phrases like "is prone to forgetting" and "often overlooks" offer similar meanings but with slightly different nuances. When using "tends to forget", ensure it accurately reflects unintentional forgetfulness rather than deliberate ignorance. With this understanding, you can confidently incorporate "tends to forget" into your writing to convey a recurring pattern of forgetfulness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

has a habit of forgetting

Highlights the repetitive nature of forgetting, suggesting it's a regular occurrence.

is prone to forgetting

Uses 'prone to' to indicate a susceptibility to forgetting, emphasizing a natural inclination.

frequently fails to remember

Directly states the failure to remember, highlighting the lack of recall.

tends to disregard

Implies a habitual inattention, leading to things being easily forgotten or overlooked.

often overlooks

Focuses on the act of overlooking something, implying a failure to notice or consider it.

is known for overlooking

Highlights a reputation for overlooking things, making it a recognized characteristic.

is inclined to omit

Indicates a tendency to leave something out, either intentionally or unintentionally.

commonly neglects to recall

Emphasizes the neglect in remembering something, suggesting a lack of effort or attention.

is apt to disregard

Suggests a readiness to dismiss or ignore something, leading to forgetting it.

is wont to dismiss

Uses 'wont' to indicate a customary or habitual action of dismissing something, leading to it being forgotten.

FAQs

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

Use "tends to forget" to describe a common or habitual act of forgetting. For example, "He "tends to forget" his keys when he's in a hurry."

What are some alternatives to "tends to forget"?

You can use alternatives such as "often overlooks", "is prone to forgetting", or "has a habit of forgetting" depending on the context.

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

The form "tend to forget" is used with plural subjects (e.g. "They tend to forget"), while "tends to forget" is used with singular subjects (e.g. "He tends to forget").

What's the difference between "tends to forget" and "forgets"?

"Tends to forget" implies a habitual or repeated action, while "forgets" is a simple statement of forgetting. "Tends to forget" suggests a pattern, whereas "forgets" may be a one-time occurrence.