26984 words

forgetting

8 definitions • 26 examples
1
to be unable to remember a fact, something that happened, or how to do something:

Examples:

I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name.
Let me write down that date before I forget it.
forget about I completely forgot about Jenny's party.
[ + (that) ] We had forgotten (that) she doesn't come on Thursdays.
I'm sorry, I was forgetting (= I had forgotten) you would be away in August.
[ + -ing verb ] She would never forget seeing the Himalayas for the first time.
[ + question word ] I've forgotten what you do next/how to do it.
forget a face I never forget a face (= I'm good at remembering people).
2

Examples:

This is where we keep all the books, not forgetting the magazines and newspapers.
3
to not remember to do something:

Examples:

Don't forget to lock the door.
Dad's always forgetting (to take) his pills.
4
to not bring something with you because you did not remember it:

Examples:

I forgot my keys.
non-standard I forgot (= left) my wallet at home.
5
to stop thinking about someone or something:

Examples:

He tried to forget her.
forget about It seemed unlikely that the debt would ever be paid off so we just forgot about it.
6
to act in a socially unacceptable way because you have lost control of your emotions:

Examples:

He was so angry he forgot himself and swore loudly.
I do apologize - I forgot myself!
I simply forgot myself for a moment - blame it on the wine.
In all the excitement, I forgot myself and threw my arms around him.
In his enthusiasm he was apt to forget himself, and he frequently had to apologize later.
John, forgetting himself, suddenly burst into song.
7
to be unable to remember; fail to remember:

Examples:

[ T ] You’d better not forget your mother’s birthday.
[ + (that) clause ] She forgot (that) she had a dental appointment.
[ + to infinitive ] Don’t forget to lock the car.
8
To forget (about) is to stop thinking about someone or something, or to stop thinking about doing something:

Examples:

[ T ] I wish I could forget him but I can’t.
[ I ] I’m afraid we’ll have to forget about going to the beach – it’s raining.

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