Meaning & use
forget
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To be unable to remember a fact, name, or event.
Grammar: Can be used with or without an object: I forgot his name. / I forgot.
Patterns
- forget something
- forget (that) …
- forget who/what/where …
I completely forgot her phone number.
She forgot where she had parked the car.
Don't forget that the meeting starts at nine.
verbtransitive
To not do something because it did not come to mind.
Grammar: Often followed by to + infinitive: I forgot to lock the door.
Patterns
- forget to do something
He forgot to buy milk on the way home.
Don't forget to call your mother.
I forgot to set my alarm last night.
verbtransitive
To stop thinking about someone or something, often deliberately.
Grammar: Used with an object: Forget him and move on.
Patterns
- forget someone/something
It's time to forget the past and start fresh.
She couldn't forget the way he had treated her.
Just forget about it; it's not important.
verbtransitive
To leave something behind by accident because you did not remember to take it.
Grammar: Often used with a place: I forgot my keys at home.
Patterns
- forget something somewhere
I forgot my umbrella on the bus.
He forgot his wallet at the office.
Word forms
| third person singular | forgets |
|---|---|
| past tense | forgot |
| past participle | forgotten |
| present participle | forgetting |
Common combinations
- forget about
- Let's forget about the argument and enjoy the evening.
- never forget
- I'll never forget the day we met.
- easily forget
- People easily forget how difficult it was at the beginning.
- forget completely
- I forgot completely that it was her birthday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- overlook
- Suggests missing something by not paying attention, not by memory failure.
- neglect
- Implies failing to do something you should do, often over time, not just once.
Opposites
Word family
- forgetful adjective
- Often not remembering things.
- forgetfulness noun
- The quality of often forgetting.
- unforgettable adjective
- Impossible to forget; very memorable.
Commonly confused: forget or forgive?
forget vs forgive
Forget means fail to remember; forgive means stop being angry at someone.
Practice
I was in a hurry and ___ to lock the door.
Choose one answer.
Use 'forgot' + to-infinitive for failing to do something. 'Forgot about' needs a noun, not a to-infinitive, and 'forgetting' or 'forget' do not fit the past tense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forget”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.