try to forget

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to forget" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to let go of a memory or experience that is troubling or painful. Example: "After everything that happened, I just want you to try to forget the past and focus on the future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Build a memorial, or try to forget?

The New York Times

I want to try to forget".

The New York Times

In the meantime, we try to forget.

The Guardian - Opinion

And try to forget that record".

The New York Times - Sports

I try to forget the rest".

The Guardian

So I try to forget my experience.

The Guardian

People in the church try to forget those years.

The New Yorker

And, yes, at-bats to try to forget.

The New York Times - Sports

"I try to forget about [the Blackburn experience] really.

Independent

"I try to forget that ever happened," Aikman said.

The New York Times - Sports

Or, rather, you may try to forget about it.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight of the context. "Try to forget" can sound dismissive in sensitive situations; use it judiciously and consider alternatives that convey empathy.

Common error

Avoid using "try to forget" when the situation calls for acknowledgment, empathy, or action. For instance, telling someone who has experienced trauma to simply "try to forget" can be insensitive and unhelpful. Instead, focus on supportive and constructive responses.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to forget" functions as an infinitive verb phrase, expressing an effort or attempt to intentionally dismiss something from one's memory or consciousness. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

24%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Science

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "try to forget" is a common and grammatically sound way to express the act of attempting to dismiss something from one's mind. Ludwig AI confirms its broad applicability, but it's crucial to use it judiciously, especially in sensitive contexts where empathy and understanding are paramount. As seen in Ludwig's examples, its usage spans from personal coping mechanisms to advice given to others. While widely accepted, remember to consider alternative phrases like "attempt to disregard" or "seek to move on from" to convey subtle differences in meaning. Steer clear of using "try to forget" in situations demanding acknowledgment or action, as it might come across as dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to disregard

Focuses on consciously ignoring or dismissing something.

make an effort to erase from memory

Highlights the active effort required to eliminate a memory.

seek to move on from

Emphasizes the intention to progress beyond a past event or experience.

strive to put behind

Indicates a determined effort to leave something in the past.

endeavor to dismiss

Suggests trying to treat something as unimportant or irrelevant.

aim to overlook

Implies consciously choosing to ignore something, often a fault or mistake.

work to suppress the memory of

Highlights the effort to keep a memory from surfacing.

resolve to not dwell on

Indicates a firm decision to avoid thinking about something.

struggle to block out

Focuses on the difficulty of preventing something from entering one's consciousness.

make a conscious effort to ignore

Underscores the deliberate nature of ignoring something.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to forget" to suggest making an effort to dismiss something from your mind. For example, "After the argument, I told myself to "try to forget" about it and move on."

What are some alternatives to "try to forget"?

Alternatives include phrases like "attempt to disregard", "make an effort to erase from memory", or "seek to move on from", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always appropriate to tell someone to "try to forget"?

No, it may not be appropriate in situations where the person needs support, empathy, or acknowledgment of their experience. In such cases, telling someone to simply "try to forget" can be insensitive.

What's the difference between "try to forget" and "resolve to not dwell on"?

"Try to forget" suggests an attempt to erase something from memory, while "resolve to not dwell on" indicates a decision to avoid thinking about something, focusing more on managing one's thoughts rather than eliminating a memory.