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Pastsimple Posted 20 years ago
Grammar
forget / forget about sth.
Hi,
could someone tell me what the exact rules for using forget / forget about sth are?
My observation is that forget is used with the preposition only when the verb has the meaning of "stop remembering", and not always at that.
1. I completely forgot about her birthday. (Is about optional here?)
2. I forgot my passport.
3. You are always forgetting my birthday! (In my opinion, this sounds better without the "about" but I may be wrong)
In 1. and 3., forget means "be unable to remember / dismiss for mind". In 2, it means "to leave behind".
Thanks in advance, as always.
could someone tell me what the exact rules for using forget / forget about sth are?
My observation is that forget is used with the preposition only when the verb has the meaning of "stop remembering", and not always at that.
1. I completely forgot about her birthday. (Is about optional here?)
2. I forgot my passport.
3. You are always forgetting my birthday! (In my opinion, this sounds better without the "about" but I may be wrong)
In 1. and 3., forget means "be unable to remember / dismiss for mind". In 2, it means "to leave behind".
Thanks in advance, as always.
Top answer
My take on it is as follows: If you include the word about , you are talking about the entire set of circumstances related to the object of about , not just the object itself. about sometimes gives the idea of plans regarding . I forgot the soup.
- My take on it is as follows: If you include the word about , you are talking about the entire set of circumstances related to the object of about , not just the object itself.
- about sometimes gives the idea of plans regarding .
- I forgot the soup.
- (I failed to buy the soup.
- ) I forgot about the soup.
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2 Answers
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My take on it is as follows:
If you include the word about, you are talking about the entire set of circumstances related to the object of about, not just the object itself. about sometimes gives the idea of plans regarding.
I forgot the soup. (I failed to buy the soup. I left the soup behind.)
I forgot about the soup. (I forgot my p
If you include the word about, you are talking about the entire set of circumstances related to the object of about, not just the object itself. about sometimes gives the idea of plans regarding.
I forgot the soup. (I failed to buy the soup. I left the soup behind.)
I forgot about the soup. (I forgot my p
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Thanks for your comprehensive and helpful answer.
P.S. I've come to the conclusion that You are always forgetting my birthday! is indeed better without about (as I suggested) because she is most probably concerned
P.S. I've come to the conclusion that You are always forgetting my birthday! is indeed better without about (as I suggested) because she is most probably concerned
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