to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to forget" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of not remembering something or when expressing a desire to let go of a memory or thought. Example: "I tried to forget the painful experience, but it still lingers in my mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

To forget?

Yale University

You want to forget?

The New York Times - Arts

"Pretending to forget"?

The New York Times

And then to forget".

The New York Times - Books

It's easy to forget.

Independent

But it's easy to forget.

The New Yorker

What a shame to forget".

The New Yorker

You don't want to forget".

The New York Times - Science

You've got to forget personalities".

The New York Times - Sports

"It is impossible to forget".

The New York Times

You're going to forget it".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to forget", ensure the context clearly indicates whether it's an unintentional lapse in memory, a deliberate act of ignoring something, or a simple failure to do something. For example: "I forgot my keys" versus "I tried to forget the incident."

Common error

Avoid using "forget" interchangeably with words like "overlook" or "neglect" without considering the subtle differences in meaning. "Forget" generally means to unintentionally fail to remember something, while "overlook" suggests failing to notice something, and "neglect" implies a failure to care for something properly.

Linguistic Context

The infinitive phrase "to forget" primarily functions as a verb complement or part of a verbal phrase, often expressing intention, purpose, or ability. Examples include "It's easy "to forget"" and "You have "to forget" personalities". Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

10%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to forget" is a versatile infinitive phrase commonly used to express the act of losing memory, neglecting a task, or intentionally dismissing a thought. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate across a wide range of contexts, as demonstrated by its frequent use in news, academic writing, and general communication. While semantically related phrases such as "to fail to recall" or "to disregard" offer alternative ways to express similar concepts, "to forget" maintains a balance of simplicity and broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to fail to recall

This alternative emphasizes the inability to bring something back into memory.

to lose sight of

This suggests neglecting or failing to consider something important.

to disregard intentionally

This indicates a conscious decision to ignore or dismiss something.

to erase from memory

This phrase focuses on the act of actively trying to eliminate a memory.

to block out

Implies suppressing or preventing a memory from surfacing.

to consign to oblivion

This is a more dramatic way of saying to completely forget something.

to leave behind

Similar to forgetting in the sense of moving on and no longer dwelling on something.

to shake off

Suggests actively trying to get rid of a bad memory or feeling.

to not give a second thought

Implies dismissing something as unimportant or not worth remembering.

to let slip from mind

Suggests a passive forgetting, where something is not actively remembered.

FAQs

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

You can use "to forget" to describe unintentionally failing to remember something, such as "I tend "to forget" appointments if I don't write them down". It can also indicate a conscious effort to dismiss something from your mind, like "She tried "to forget" the unpleasant experience".

What can I say instead of "to forget"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "to fail to remember", "to overlook", "to disregard", or "to leave behind".

Which is correct, "forgetting" or "to forget"?

Both "forgetting" and "to forget" can be correct, but they serve different grammatical functions. "To forget" is the infinitive form, often used with auxiliary verbs (e.g., "I need "to forget""). "Forgetting" is the gerund or present participle, used as a noun or part of a continuous verb tense (e.g., "Forgetting is easy" or "I am forgetting").

What's the difference between "to forget" and "to forgive"?

"To forget" means to unintentionally fail to remember something or to consciously dismiss it from your mind. "To forgive", on the other hand, means to stop feeling angry or resentful towards someone for an offense, flaw, or mistake. While related to letting go of the past, "to forgive" implies a conscious act of absolution, while "to forget" does not necessarily involve another person or an offense.