Forget or forgot

Question

I remember that decades ago when I was in school the teacher taught us that "forget" and "remember" have some special ocassions.

What I have learnt, but I am not sure

1. Present tense "forget"+ to-infinitive or gerund isn't normally used because if you cannot remember something now then it is not logical to denote what you don't remember. e.g. " I forget to pay the bill " is wrong

2. Past tense "forgot" + to-infinitive or gerund is normally used because you now remember what to do so forgetting something is a past event. e.g. "I forgot to pay the bill" is correct

3. Present tense "forget" is used only or mostly with information, rather than action, e.g. I forget your name, I forget your address.

Are my points 1,2 and 3 above correct?

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

kenny1999Are my points 1,2 and 3 above correct?

Pretty much, but the present tense can also be used for the habitual:

Wife: Why do we usually have late charges on this account?

Me: I forget to pay the bill.

CalifJim · Answer

(not) forgot to [base form] — You didn't do something because you forgot.

I [ forgot / didn't forget ] to turn off the furnace before we left the house.

forget [ -ing form ]; typically used with 'can'. Used to show that some action will be impossible, will not be permitted, will never succeed.

If you don't finish your homework, you can forget going to the movies tonight.

(not) remembered to [base form] — You did something because you remembered that you were supposed to do it.

Louise [ remembered / didn't remember] to bring the paper plates to the picnic.

remember [ -ing form ] Used to say what event or action you remember.

I distinctly remember putting my glasses on this table, but they are not here.

CJ

Forget or forgot

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