forgot - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
forgot Word Meanings
- to fail to remember
- to disregard intentionally
- to cease to think about something
forgot Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
forgot Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/fɔːˈɡɛt/
US
/fɔrˈɡɛt/
forgot Word Etymology
The root 'for-' means 'away' and 'get' means 'to obtain'. So, forget literally means to 'get away from' a memory. This can evoke the image of a thought fading away like a balloon drifting into the sky, out of reach.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I pinch the bridge of my nose and lean in, my mind ready to grab a name. A breath, a shift in attention, and the memory slips to the edge of my tongue, barely there. I push the thought back, adjust my posture, and set my gaze elsewhere, holding onto the moment rather than the word. In everyday talk, that move lets me go on, and the word may return when the moment nudges it back.
Real Context
Forget is a versatile verb that covers several related ideas. It means fail to remember something, of course, but it can also express deliberately ignoring or not thinking about a person or idea any more. In everyday speech you forget keys, appointments, or tasks, and you might forget to do something you had planned. The phrase forget about adds a sense of putting the matter out of mind, sometimes for a long time. It is helpful to compare forget with remember, since memory vs attention shape their use. Common collocations include forget to + verb, forget about, and forgetfulness as a noun, while confusion with forgive is a frequent learner trap.
Usage Reminders
- Remember the difference between forget and remember. Use forget to describe a lapse in memory, and forget about to indicate stopping thinking about something. Learn forget to do vs forget doing. Watch for the prepositions to and about after forget. Practice recall daily, not just recognition. Pair forget with context cues to solidify usage.
Common Misconceptions
- Forgetting is the same as failing to try to remember something
- Forget and forgive are interchangeable
- Forget about always means neglect something forever
- Remember and forget are always opposites
- Forget must be followed by to or about in all cases
Thinking Differences
In English thinking about forget focuses on memory lapses and intentional disregard as two separate nuances, with clear distinctions between forget to do something and forget doing something. Learners often confuse forgetting with forgiving, and they may overgeneralize forget to contexts that require remember. Culture emphasizes personal memory and punctuality, so mistakes often involve timing or sequence in tasks.
Learning Tips
- Create a personal memory diary to practice recall daily
- Pair forget with remember in contrasting pairs (I forgot vs I remember)
- Use flashcards for common collocations like forget to and forget about
- Record and listen to native speaker examples
- Write short prompts using forget in different tenses
- Review mistakes and note whether to use to or about
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'forgot' mean?
A.Remembered something
B.Recalled a memory
C.Failed to remember
D.Kept in mind
Step 2: Usage
Which of the following sentences uses 'forgot' correctly?
A.I forgot to bring my umbrella when it was raining.
B.He forgot the answer to the math problem and solved it anyway.
C.She forgot and always knows her schedule by heart.
D.They forgot his birthday, but they remembered the cake.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'forgot'?
A.Overlooked
B.Remembered
C.Disregarded
D.Emphasized
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'forgot'?
A.Dismissed
B.Ignored
C.Remembered
D.Denied
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where someone might say they forgot something?
A.They completely forgot to submit their project.
B.He remembered to call his friend last night.
C.The students did not forget their homework.
D.She can't recall where she left her keys.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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