Forget vs. Forgot — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Forget implies an ongoing failure to remember, often due to distraction or lack of concentration, while forgot is the simple past tense, indicating a past incident of memory lapse.
Difference Between Forget and Forgot
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Key Differences
Forget is used to describe a current or ongoing situation where an individual is unable to recall information, experiences, or tasks. This can happen for a variety of reasons, including distraction, lack of focus, or the complexity of the information. Whereas, forgot is the simple past tense of forget, used to refer to a specific instance in the past where something was not remembered. It often implies that the act of forgetting had a particular consequence or occurred under specific circumstances.
Forget can also be used in a more continuous sense, indicating a habitual or recurring inability to remember certain things. This could be due to a person's natural disposition towards forgetfulness or the routine nature of what's being forgotten. On the other hand, forgot is finite, clearly indicating that the act of forgetting has already happened and is not an ongoing issue.
In some contexts, forget is used to express a future intention to disregard or leave something behind intentionally, as in making a conscious decision to not remember or hold onto a thought or feeling. Whereas, forgot does not carry this forward-looking implication and is strictly related to past actions or events that have already transpired.
The use of forget can sometimes imply a passive or involuntary action, where the forgetting is not deliberate. It can suggest that the person did not make a conscious effort to remember. On the other hand, forgot, by referring to a specific past instance, might imply that there was a moment or opportunity to remember that was missed.
Forget is often used in progressive tenses to indicate an ongoing process or state, such as in "I am forgetting his name." This usage highlights a current struggle with memory. On the other hand, forgot is used in statements that reflect a completed action, such as "I forgot his name," indicating that the act of forgetting has already occurred and is not an ongoing process.
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Comparison Chart
Tense
Present tense
Simple past tense
Usage
Ongoing inability to remember
Refers to a past instance of not remembering
Implication
Can imply a continuous or habitual action
Indicates a completed action
Connotation
Can suggest a lack of focus or intention
Implies a missed opportunity to remember
Grammatical Form
Often used in progressive tenses
Used in simple past statements
Compare with Definitions
Forget
Fail to remember something.
I often forget names shortly after being introduced.
Forgot
Overlooked something in the past.
I forgot about the meeting yesterday.
Forget
Overlook or neglect something.
Don't forget to water the plants.
Forgot
Neglected to do something due to a memory lapse.
I forgot to lock the door when I left.
Forget
Fail to bring or do something due to memory lapse.
I always forget my keys when I'm in a hurry.
Forgot
Failed to remember something in the past.
I forgot my password and couldn't log in.
Forget
Intentionally disregard something.
I try to forget the stressful events of the day.
Forgot
Lost the ability to recall something previously known.
I forgot the way to her house after all these years.
Forget
Lose the ability to recall.
As years pass, we may forget the details of early childhood.
Forgot
Did not bring something due to failing to remember.
I forgot my lunch at home.
Forget
To be unable to remember (something).
Forgot
Past tense and a past participle of forget.
Forget
To treat with thoughtless inattention; neglect
Forget one's family.
Forgot
Simple past tense and past participle of forget
Forget
To leave behind unintentionally.
Forget
To fail to mention.
Forget
To banish from one's thoughts
Forget a disgrace.
Forget
(Informal) To disregard on purpose. Usually used in the imperative
Oh, forget it. I refuse to go!.
Forget
To cease remembering
Let's forgive and forget.
Forget
To fail or neglect to become aware at the proper or specified moment
Forgot about my dental appointment.
Forget
(transitive) To lose remembrance of.
I have forgotten most of the things I learned in school.
Forget
(transitive) To unintentionally not do, neglect.
I forgot to buy flowers for my wife at our 14th wedding anniversary.
Forget
(transitive) To unintentionally leave something behind.
I forgot my car keys in the living room.
Forget
(intransitive) To cease remembering.
Let's just forget about it.
Forget
(slang) Euphemism for fuck, screw a mild oath.
Forget you!
Forget
To lose the remembrance of; to let go from the memory; to cease to have in mind; not to think of; also, to lose the power of; to cease from doing.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.
Let my right hand forget her cunning.
Hath thy knee forget to bow?
Forget
To treat with inattention or disregard; to slight; to neglect.
Can a woman forget her sucking child? . . . Yes, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.
Forget
Dismiss from the mind; stop remembering;
I tried to bury these unpleasant memories
Forget
Be unable to remember;
I'm drawing a blank
You are blocking the name of your first wife!
Forget
Forget to do something;
Don't forget to call the chairman of the board to the meeting!
Forget
Leave behind unintentionally;
I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant
I left my keys inside the car and locked the doors
Common Curiosities
Can forgot be used in a current context?
No, forgot is strictly used for past instances and cannot be used to describe current or future situations.
Is forgot always related to a negative consequence?
Not necessarily, but forgot often implies that there was a missed opportunity or a negative outcome as a result of the forgetting.
What is the main difference between forget and forgot?
Forget is the present tense form indicating an ongoing inability to remember, while forgot is the past tense form referring to a specific instance of forgetting in the past.
Can forget be used to indicate an intentional act?
Yes, forget can be used to express a deliberate intention to disregard or not remember something.
How does the use of forget in progressive tense differ from its simple present use?
The progressive tense (e.g., "am forgetting") highlights an ongoing struggle or process of forgetting, while the simple present (e.g., "forget") can indicate a general tendency or fact.
How does context affect the use of forget and forgot?
Context is crucial; "forget" is used for current or habitual actions, while "forgot" is used for past instances. The context determines the temporal aspect and potential implications.
Is it grammatically correct to say "I forget" when referring to a past event?
No, when referring to a past event, the correct form is "I forgot." "I forget" is used for present or habitual actions.
Can "forget" and "forgot" be used interchangeably in any context?
No, they cannot be used interchangeably as their usage depends on the tense required by the context: "forget" for present or future, and "forgot" for past events.
How does one choose between forget and forgot in a sentence?
The choice depends on the timing of the action you're describing: use "forget" for present or future actions, and "forgot" for actions that happened in the past.
Does "forget" have different implications in different cultures?
Yes, cultural differences can affect how forgetting is perceived, with some cultures placing more emphasis on memory and the act of forgetting being seen more negatively.
Are there any common phrases or idioms that use forget or forgot?
Yes, there are several, such as "forget it" (used to indicate that something is not worth considering) and "forgot in the heat of the moment" (used to describe forgetting something due to being emotionally charged or distracted).
Can forget be used in a future tense context?
Yes, forget can be used in a future tense context, especially when indicating an intention to disregard something in the future, e.g., "I will forget this incident."
Can forgot imply a permanent loss of memory?
"Forgot" typically refers to a temporary lapse in memory rather than a permanent loss, which would be better described by terms like "forgotten" or "cannot remember anymore."
Is there a difference in formality between forget and forgot?
No, there is no inherent difference in formality between "forget" and "forgot." The choice between them depends on the tense required by the context.
Can the use of "forgot" indicate a need for reminder or reinforcement?
Yes, using "forgot" can suggest that a reminder or reinforcement might be necessary to aid memory in future similar situations.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
