events / facts
1 ~ (about) sth (not usually used in the progressive tenses) to be unable to remember sth that has happened in the past or information that you knew in the past:
[V] I'd completely forgotten about the money he owed me. * Before I forget, there was a call from Italy for you. * [VN] I never forget a face. * Who could forget his speech at last year's party? * [V(that)] She keeps forgetting (that) I'm not a child any more. * I was forgetting (= I had forgotten) (that) you've been here before. * [Vwh-] I've forgotten where they live exactly. * I forget how much they paid for it. * [V-ing] I'll never forget hearing this piece of music for the first time. * [VNthat] It should not be forgotten that people used to get much more exercise. [also VN-ing]
to do sth
2 ~ (about) sth to not remember to do sth that you ought to do, or to bring or buy sth that you ought to bring or buy:
[V] 'Why weren't you at the meeting?' 'Sorry-I forgot.' * [Vtoinf] Take care, and don't forget to write. * I forgot to ask him for his address. * [VN] I forgot my purse (= I did not remember to bring it). * 'Hey, don't forget me (= don't leave without me)!' * Aren't you forgetting something? (= I think you have forgotten to do sth)
HELPNOTE You cannot use forget if you want to mention the place where you have left something: I've left my book at home. * _I_'_v_e_ _f_o_r_g_o_t_t_e_n_ _m_y_ _b_o_o_k_ _a_t_ _h_o_m_e_.
stop thinking about sth
3 ~ (about) sb/sth to deliberately stop thinking about sb/sth:
[V] Try to forget about what happened. * Could you possibly forget about work for five minutes? * [VN] Forget him! * Let's forget our differences and be friends. * [V(that)] Forget (that) I said anything!
4 ~ (about) sth to stop thinking that sth is a possibility:
[V] If I lose this job, we can forget about buying a new car. * [VN] 'I was hoping you might be able to lend me the money.' 'You can forget that!'
yourself
5 [VN] ~ yourself to behave in a way that is not socially acceptable:
I'm forgetting myself. I haven't offered you a drink yet!
IDIOMS
forget it (spoken)
1 used to tell sb that sth is not important and that they should not worry about it:
'I still owe you for lunch yesterday.' 'Forget it.'
2 used to tell sb that you are not going to repeat what you said:
'Now, what were you saying about John?' 'Forget it, it doesn't matter.'
3 used to emphasize that you are saying 'no' to sth:
'Any chance of you helping out here?' 'Forget it, I've got too much to do.'
4 used to tell sb to stop talking about sth because they are annoying you:
Just forget it, will you!
not forgetting... (BrE) used to include sth in the list of things that you have just mentioned:
I share the house with Jim, Ian and Sam, not forgetting Spike, the dog.
moreatFORGIVE
