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Johnson13 Posted 13 years ago
Grammar

A confusing usage of FORGET

http://oald8.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/dictionary/forget

I understand the whole entry from the OALD, but I am doing a literature course at university and a reading is by Alice Munro, 'Boys and Girls'.

Part of it: I have forgotten to say what the foxes were fed. My father's bloody apron reminded me. They were fed horsemeat.

The act of being unable to remember what she didn't say is past, why not I FORGOT TO SAY...?
  

Top answer

Johnson13 why not I FORGOT TO SAY...? Just the writer's preference. I have forgotten brings the action closer to the present, and she's talking about her own narrative, which you've just been reading.

— CalifJim

  • Johnson13 why not I FORGOT TO SAY...?
  • Just the writer's preference.
  • I have forgotten brings the action closer to the present, and she's talking about her own narrative, which you've just been reading.
  • She could also have written I'm forgetting if she wanted to bring the action even closer to the present.
  • CJ
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3 Answers
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Johnson13why not I FORGOT TO SAY...?
Just the writer's preference. I have forgotten brings the action closer to the present, and she's talking about her own narrative, which you've just been reading. She could also have written I'm forgetting if she wanted to bring the action even closer to the present.

CJ
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Thanks. So do you think FORGET and FORGOT are possible?
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Johnson13Thanks. So do you think FORGET and FORGOT are possible?
No. Not in that sentence. I gave you the possibilities above. Let's review them:

I forgot.
I've forgotten.
I'm forgetting.
____________

Of course you may use "I forget" in other situations where it is appropriate.

I'm getting very old, so I f
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