try to forget about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "try to forget about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to let go of a thought, memory, or concern that is bothering them. Example: "After the argument, I had to try to forget about what was said and focus on moving forward."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

Independent

He will also try to forget about making it.

The Guardian - Sport

I try to forget about the 0-fer days".

The New York Times

Vince Wilfork, a defensive lineman, added, "I try to forget about it".

The New York Times - Sports

Denise had moved to N.Y. in part to try to forget about Juan.

The New Yorker

"I just pay the bill and try to forget about it," he said.

The New York Times - Tech

She persuaded Megan to try to forget about what had happened.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I try to forget about this part of my life, but I never forgave myself.

The New York Times

I bring dry clothes to throw on afterward and try to forget about it.

The Guardian - Opinion

We have to make that putt millions of times and I had to try to forget about the Ryder Cup".

Independent

You can't pretend to not give a damn, but you have to try to forget about it.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to forget about" when advising someone to consciously shift their focus away from a negative or unwanted thought or experience.

Common error

While "try to forget about" is acceptable in many situations, avoid using it in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more sophisticated alternatives such as "attempt to disregard" or "make an effort to disregard".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to forget about" functions as a verb phrase used to express an attempt to dismiss or ignore something from one's thoughts or memory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound way to advise someone to shift their focus.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Wiki

24%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to forget about" is a common and grammatically sound verb phrase used to advise or encourage someone to dismiss unwanted thoughts or experiences. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral contexts and may be replaced with more formal alternatives in professional writing. When advising someone, remember that this phrase aims to reduce stress by disengaging from difficult or negative thoughts. However, be aware that the healthiest strategy might be to suggest to address an existing problem rather than "try to forget about" it, and that makes the phrase not always the best solution.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to disregard

This alternative suggests a conscious effort to ignore or dismiss something, similar to "try to forget about" but may imply a more active rejection.

make an effort to disregard

Similar to "attempt to disregard", this phrase emphasizes the exertion of effort to ignore something.

seek to dismiss from memory

This alternative suggests a more deliberate and focused attempt to remove something from one's memory.

strive to erase from mind

This phrase emphasizes the difficulty and effort involved in removing something from one's thoughts.

endeavor to put out of one's head

This alternative suggests a determined effort to stop thinking about something.

work to banish from thought

This phrase conveys a strong desire to eliminate a particular thought or memory.

aim to blot out

This suggests trying to completely eliminate or obscure something from one's awareness.

try to shrug off

This alternative suggests an attempt to minimize the impact or importance of something, rather than forgetting it entirely.

try to brush aside

Similar to "try to shrug off", this phrase implies an attempt to dismiss something as unimportant or irrelevant.

move on from

This suggests shifting focus and attention away from a particular issue or event, rather than directly trying to forget it.

FAQs

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

You can use "try to forget about" to advise someone to dismiss a negative thought or experience. For instance, "After the argument, I had to "try to forget about" what was said and focus on moving forward."

What can I say instead of "try to forget about"?

You can use alternatives like "attempt to disregard", "make an effort to disregard", or "move on from" depending on the context.

Is it always effective to "try to forget about" something?

While trying to forget can be a coping mechanism, it's not always the healthiest approach. Sometimes, addressing the issue directly or seeking support may be more beneficial than simply trying to ignore it. It's depend on the nature of the problem you "try to forget about".

In what situations is it appropriate to advise someone to "try to forget about" something?

It's appropriate to suggest someone "try to forget about" something when dwelling on it is causing unnecessary stress or preventing them from moving forward. However, consider whether addressing the underlying issue might be a more constructive approach.