What does "forget" mean?

1. (to fail to recall) to be unable to remember a fact, a name, or an event. 2. (to leave behind) to leave something somewhere because you were not thinking about it. 3. (to neglect a task) to fail to do something you were supposed to do. 4. (to stop thinking about) to stop thinking about someone or something, often to move on from a bad situation.

How do you use "forget"?

Often used in the present perfect ('I have forgotten') or the simple past ('I forgot'). Usually takes a direct object representing the item left behind. Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive.

Is it correct to say "I am forgetting your name."?

No — say "I have forgotten your name.". In many contexts, 'forget' is a state; use the present perfect to describe the current result of losing a memory.

Is it correct to say "I forgot doing my homework."?

No — say "I forgot to do my homework.". Use 'forget + to-infinitive' for a task you didn't do. 'Forget + -ing' means you did it but don't remember the event.

forget

US //fɝˈɡɛt// UK //fəɡˈɛt// for·get

Irregular verb past forgot past participle forgotten

1 to fail to recall (v.)
A1 Beginner

to be unable to remember a fact, a name, or an event.

to lose remembrance of information or to be unable to retrieve a memory from the mind.

Example

I always forget her phone number, so I have to look it up.

Example

He had completely forgotten the details of the conversation until his colleague showed him the meeting minutes from the previous month.

Usage

Often used in the present perfect ('I have forgotten') or the simple past ('I forgot').
- blank on
- remember
- recall
Pitfall

I am forgetting your name.

I have forgotten your name.

In many contexts, 'forget' is a state; use the present perfect to describe the current result of losing a memory.
2 to leave behind (v.)
A2 Elementary

to leave something somewhere because you were not thinking about it.

to unintentionally leave an object in a location due to a lapse in attention.

Example

I forgot my umbrella on the bus this morning.

Example

In her haste to catch the early train, she forgot her briefcase on the kitchen counter, necessitating a stressful return trip.

Usage

Usually takes a direct object representing the item left behind.
- leave
- bring
- take

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3 to neglect a task (v.)
A2 Elementary

to fail to do something you were supposed to do.

to unintentionally omit or neglect a planned action or duty.

Example

Don't forget to lock the door when you leave the house.

Example

The intern forgot to include the updated financial projections in the final report, which led to a confusing presentation for the board.

Usage

Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive.

Teacher's tip

Contrast 'forget to do' (omission of action) with 'forget doing' (loss of memory of a past event) for B1+ students.
- remember
Pitfall

I forgot doing my homework.

I forgot to do my homework.

Use 'forget + to-infinitive' for a task you didn't do. 'Forget + -ing' means you did it but don't remember the event.
4 to stop thinking about (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to stop thinking about someone or something, often to move on from a bad situation.

to deliberately cease thinking about or being affected by a person, event, or emotion.

Example

It took him a long time to forget his old boss and enjoy his new job.

Example

After the legal dispute was settled, both parties agreed to forget their past grievances and attempt a professional collaboration.
- dismiss
- ignore
- dwell on

Origin

From Middle English forgeten, forgiten, foryeten, forȝiten, from Old English forġietan (“to forget”) [influenced by Old Norse geta ("to get, to guess")], from Proto-West Germanic *fragetan (“to give up, forget”). Equivalent to for- + get. Cognate with : * Scots forget, forȝet (“to forget”), * West Frisian fergette, ferjitte, forjitte (“to forget”), * Dutch vergeten (“to forget”), * German vergessen (“to forget”).

Word family

Verbforget
Adjectiveforgetful
Adjectiveforgettable
Adjectiveunforgettable

Idioms5 entries