What is forget? Pronunciation and usage in English

forget means . Learn how to pronounce and use forget through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of forget

forgetverb

/fəˈɡɛt/
Definition & pronunciation of forget

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "forget" in English. It's a tricky one for many learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "For": This part is relatively straightforward. It sounds like "for" as in "for you". The "o" is a short "o" sound, like in "hot".
  • "Get": This is where it gets tricky. The "get" part isn’t simply "get" as in "get a book." It's a slightly more rounded and relaxed vowel sound.

2. Putting it Together - The Key is the Transition:

  • The Connection: The most important thing is the transition between "for" and "get." You want to blend them together smoothly, almost like one syllable.
  • Rounded "e": As you move from "for" to "get," your mouth rounds slightly, forming a small "e" shape. This is a key element of the sound.
  • Slightly Raised Tongue: Your tongue will be a little bit higher in your mouth than when saying “for.”

3. Phonetic Breakdown (approximations - it's hard to capture perfectly in text):

  • IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet): /fərˈɡet/
    • fər: (like "fur" but shorter) - This is the "for" part.
    • ˈɡet: (the stress is on this syllable) - This is the slightly rounded "get" part.

4. Tips and Mimicking:

  • Listen to Native Speakers: This is crucial. The best way to learn is to hear it. Search for "how to pronounce forget" on YouTube or use online dictionaries like Merriam-Webster or Cambridge Dictionary, and listen to the audio example.
  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying it and compare it to the native speaker’s pronunciation.
  • Slow it Down: At first, say it slowly, paying attention to the blending of the sounds. Gradually increase the speed.
  • Exaggerate at First: When learning, it's okay to slightly exaggerate the rounding of your mouth and the slightly raised tongue. Once you're comfortable, you can tone it down.

Resources to Listen:

Would you like me to:

  • Give you a more detailed breakdown of the mouth position?
  • Provide some minimal pairs (words that differ by only one sound) to help you distinguish it from similar-sounding words?

Usage and examples with the word forget in English

Let's break down how to use the word "forget" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different nuances! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. Basic Forgetting (Losing Memory):

  • Meaning: This is the most common meaning – to no longer remember something.
  • Usage:
    • "I forgot my keys." (I don't remember where I put my keys.)
    • "Don't forget to call your mother." (Don't lose the memory of calling your mother.)
    • "I forgot her name." (I can’t remember her name.)
    • "He forgot what he was saying." (He lost his train of thought, didn't remember what he was about to say.)

2. Forget About/To Forget Something:

  • "Forget about it" / “Don't worry about it”: This means to stop dwelling on something, to let it go, to not make a big deal out of it.
    • "Forget about the argument, let's just move on." (Don't keep thinking about the argument.)
    • "Forget about your troubles." (Don't worry about your problems.)
  • "I forgot to buy milk." (I didn't consciously remember to buy milk - the action slipped my mind). This is often used with "to"

3. Forget Something (as an action - neglecting or skipping a task):

  • "Don’t forget to water the plants!" (Don't neglect watering the plants.)
  • "I forgot to send the email." (I didn’t remember to send the email; I missed the action.)
  • "He forgot to turn off the stove.” (He didn't remember to turn off the stove.)

4. Forgetfulness (A Character Trait):

  • "She's a very forgetful person." (She tends to lose things and forget things easily.)
  • "He suffers from forgetfulness in his old age." (He experiences memory problems.)

5. Forget + Verb (Expressing a past action of forgetting):

  • "I forgot to lock the door." (I didn’t lock the door – it was a past action.)
  • "She forgot to finish her homework." (She didn't finish her homework.)
  • "They forgot to invite me to the party." (They didn't invite me to the party.)

6. Forget to… / Forget and… (Emphasis on the missed action)

  • “I forgot to lock the door.” - This emphasizes you didn’t remember the action.
  • “I forgot and didn’t set the alarm.” - This emphasizes you forgot and then an additional action didn't happen as a result.

7. Figurative Uses (Less Common, But Important)

  • "Forget your worries." (Let go of your anxieties) - This is an idiomatic expression.
  • "Let's forget the past." (Let's not dwell on previous events.)

Key Points & Common Mistakes:

  • "Forget" vs. "Remember": These are opposites!
  • "Forget to" vs. “Forget that”: “Forget to” is about not doing something. “Forget that” usually refers to forgetting an event or something specific. (e.g., “I forgot that meeting,” not “I forgot to go to the meeting.”)
  • "Forget about" vs. “Forget for”: “Forget about” means to stop thinking about something. “Forget for” is much less common and generally incorrect.

Resources for More Practice:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "forget" in? (e.g., daily conversation, writing an email, a specific situation)?

Synonyms for the word forget

Idioms of the word forget

and don’t (you) forget it
(informal)used to tell somebody how they should behave, especially when they have been behaving in a way you do not like
  • You're a suspect, not a detective, and don't you forget it.
forget it
used to tell somebody that something is not important and that they should not worry about it
  • ‘I still owe you for lunch yesterday.’ ‘Forget it.’
used to tell somebody that you are not going to repeat what you said
  • ‘Now, what were you saying about John?’ ‘Forget it, it doesn't matter.’
used to emphasize that you are saying ‘no’ to something
  • ‘Any chance of you helping out here?’ ‘Forget it, I've got too much to do.’
used to tell somebody to stop talking about something because they are annoying you
  • Just forget it, will you!
forgive and forget
to stop feeling angry with somebody for something they have done to you and to behave as if it had not happened
  • I know what he did was wrong but don’t you think it’s time to forgive and forget?
not forgetting…
(British English)used to include something in the list of things that you have just mentioned
  • I share the house with Jim, Ian and Sam, not forgetting Spike, the dog.

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