Forget vs. Forgot: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Forget is the present tense verb meaning to fail to remember, while forgot is the simple past tense, indicating forgetting happened in the past.
Key Differences
Forget is used in present tense contexts, indicating an ongoing or habitual action of failing to remember. Forgot, on the other hand, is the simple past tense form, used to describe a specific instance of forgetting that occurred in the past.
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Nov 28, 2023
When using forget in a sentence, it often refers to a current state or a future possibility of not remembering something. In contrast, forgot implies that the act of forgetting has already taken place at a definite point in the past.
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Nov 28, 2023
Forget can also be used in imperative sentences, giving commands or requests, such as "Don't forget to call me." Forgot is used to recount past experiences or actions, as in "I forgot to call you yesterday."
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Nov 28, 2023
In terms of conjugation, forget follows a pattern where it can be modified into various forms like forgetting, forgets, or forget. Forgot is the unchangeable past form, with no variations.
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Nov 28, 2023
Forget is often used in conditional or hypothetical statements, for instance, "If you forget, let me know." Forgot is used to state facts or events that have already happened, such as "I forgot it was your birthday."
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Nov 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Conjugation
Can be modified (forgetting, forgets)
Fixed form with no variations
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Nov 28, 2023
Use in Sentences
Commands, future possibilities, conditions
Recounting past experiences or actions
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Nov 28, 2023
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Forget and Forgot Definitions
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Forget
(Informal) To disregard on purpose. Usually used in the imperative
Oh, forget it. I refuse to go!.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
To fail or neglect to become aware at the proper or specified moment
Forgot about my dental appointment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
(transitive) To lose remembrance of.
I have forgotten most of the things I learned in school.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
(transitive) To unintentionally not do, neglect.
I forgot to buy flowers for my wife at our 14th wedding anniversary.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
(transitive) To unintentionally leave something behind.
I forgot my car keys in the living room.
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Oct 19, 2023
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?
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
Dismiss from the mind; stop remembering;
I tried to bury these unpleasant memories
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
Be unable to remember;
I'm drawing a blank
You are blocking the name of your first wife!
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
Forget to do something;
Don't forget to call the chairman of the board to the meeting!
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Oct 19, 2023
Forget
Leave behind unintentionally;
I forgot my umbrella in the restaurant
I left my keys inside the car and locked the doors
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is forgot?
Forgot is the past tense of forget, used for past instances of forgetting.
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Nov 28, 2023
How do I use forget in a sentence?
Example: "Please don't forget to turn off the lights."
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Nov 28, 2023
Can forget be used for something happening now?
Yes, forget is used for current or habitual forgetting.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
When do I use forget?
Use forget for current or future instances of failing to remember.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is forgot used in present tense?
No, forgot is exclusively used for past tense.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can you give an example of forgot in a sentence?
Example: "I forgot where I placed my keys."
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Nov 28, 2023
Can forgot be used for future actions?
No, forgot cannot be used for future actions.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Is forget ever used in past tense?
No, for past tense, the correct form is forgot.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is the negative form of "forget"?
The negative form of "forget" is "do not forget" or its contraction "don't forget."
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Nov 28, 2023
Do other languages have similar irregularities with these words?
Yes, irregular verb forms exist in many languages, causing variations in past tenses.
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Nov 28, 2023
What is the present tense of "forget"?
The present tense of "forget" is "forget."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you provide an example sentence using "forget"?
Certainly! "I always forget my keys when I leave the house."
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "forgot" be used in the present tense?
No, "forgot" is specifically the past tense form of "forget."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
What is the past participle form of "forget"?
The past participle form of "forget" is "forgotten."
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Nov 28, 2023
When should I use "forgot" in a sentence?
Use "forgot" when discussing something that happened in the past, like "I forgot my anniversary last year."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can "forgot" be used with auxiliary verbs like "have" or "had"?
Yes, you can say "I had forgotten" to indicate that you forgot something in the past.
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Nov 28, 2023
Can "forget" be used in the past tense?
Yes, it can be used in the past tense as "forgot."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you provide an example sentence using "forgot"?
Of course! "I forgot to pick up groceries on my way home yesterday."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
Can you provide an example using "forgot" and "forgotten" in the same sentence?
Certainly! "I forgot my friend's birthday, and I had also forgotten to buy a gift."
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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