forget
A2Neutral to informal. Universally used across all registers.
Definition
Meaning
To fail to remember; to be unable to recall a fact, event, or intention.
To unintentionally omit or neglect to do something; to lose awareness of a situation or condition temporarily; to stop thinking about someone or something, often intentionally.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb describes a lapse in memory, either temporary or permanent. It can be used for facts, events, tasks, or people. In its reflexive form ('forget yourself'), it implies a loss of self-control or good manners.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primary differences exist in participle forms: British English accepts both 'forgot' and 'forgotten' as the past participle, while American English strongly prefers 'forgotten'.
Connotations
The imperative 'Forget it!' can be more brusque in American English. 'Forget about it' (often pronounced 'fuggedaboutit') is a cultural marker in some American dialects, meaning 'don't worry about it' or 'it's impossible'.
Frequency
Both varieties use the word with equally high frequency. The phrase 'forget about it' may be slightly more frequent in American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
forget to + infinitiveforget + noun/pronounforget + that-clauseforget + wh-clause (e.g., 'I forgot where...')forget + about + noun/gerundVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Forgive and forget.”
- “Forget it!”
- “Forget oneself”
- “Forget (about) it”
- “Not forgetting...”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common in professional apologies: 'I forgot to attach the document to my email.' Can indicate negligence if used about core duties.
Academic
Used to discuss memory processes: 'Subjects were asked to forget the initial list of words.'
Everyday
Ubiquitous for minor memory lapses: 'I forgot to buy milk.'
Technical
In computing: 'The cache is designed to forget non-essential data.' In psychology: 'motivated forgetting'.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Don't forget your umbrella, it might rain.
- She'd forgotten how beautiful the Highlands were.
- I completely forgot to set my alarm.
American English
- Don't forget your umbrella; it's supposed to rain.
- He had forgotten how beautiful the Rockies were.
- I totally forgot to set my alarm clock.
adjective
British English
- The forget-me-not is a lovely little flower.
- He was a forgettable character in the play.
American English
- Forget-me-nots grew by the stream.
- She gave a rather forgettable performance.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I often forget my keys.
- Please don't forget to call your mother.
- He forgot her name.
- I forgot to mention that the meeting is cancelled.
- You'll never forget seeing the Grand Canyon.
- If I forget, please remind me.
- He had forgotten where he had parked the car.
- Let's forget about our differences and start again.
- It's easy to forget how quickly time passes.
- The government would like the public to forget its earlier promises.
- In the heat of the moment, he forgot himself and shouted.
- One must not forget that economic stability is fragile.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FOR-GET: Imagine you are going FOR something, but you have to GET it first. If you FORGET, you went FOR it but failed to GET it into your memory.
Conceptual Metaphor
MEMORY IS A STORAGE CONTAINER (things fall out). MEMORY IS A WRITING TABLET (writing fades).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not use 'I forgot my book at home.' This is a calque from Russian. Use 'I left my book at home.'
- Remember the distinction: 'forget to do' (не сделать) vs. 'forget doing' (не помнить, как сделал).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past participle: 'I have forget' or 'I have forgot' (should be 'forgotten').
- Confusing 'forget' and 'leave'.
- Wrong preposition: 'I forgot about to call him' (should be 'I forgot to call him').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence is CORRECT?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Forget to do' means you did not do it because you didn't remember. 'Forget doing' means you did it, but you have no memory of the action.
In informal British English, 'I've forgot' is sometimes heard, but 'forgotten' is the standard form in both dialects and is required in formal writing and American English.
Yes, but it's less common. The continuous form ('I am forgetting') often suggests a gradual or ongoing process of memory loss, or is used for temporary states ('I'm forgetting my French').
It can mean 'don't worry about it', 'it's not important', or 'it's impossible'. The meaning depends heavily on tone and context.
Collections
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Emotions and Feelings
A2 · 33 words · Words to describe how you feel.