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NL888 Posted 12 years ago
Grammar
Why "forget it" is wrong here?
Why "forget it" is wrong here?
A grammar book tells us that the use of the phrase "forget it" in (1) is correct while in (2) is wrong:
(1) You've saved my life; I shall never forget it.
In the sentence above, "it" refers to the whole clause "you've saved my life" and the use of "forget it" is right.
(2) "You won't forget to write, will you?"
"No, I won't forget" (You cannot use "forget it" here).
A grammar book tells us that the use of the phrase "forget it" in (1) is correct while in (2) is wrong:
(1) You've saved my life; I shall never forget it.
In the sentence above, "it" refers to the whole clause "you've saved my life" and the use of "forget it" is right.
(2) "You won't forget to write, will you?"
"No, I won't forget" (You cannot use "forget it" here).
Top answer
NL888 Why is "forget it" is wrong here? It would have no identifiable antecedent. No noun phrase, no declarative clause, and the infinitival to write is not a possible antecedent.
- NL888 Why is "forget it" is wrong here?
- It would have no identifiable antecedent.
- No noun phrase, no declarative clause, and the infinitival to write is not a possible antecedent.
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2 Answers
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NL888Why is "forget it"It would have no identifiable antecedent. No noun phrase, no declarative clause, and the infinitival to write is not a possible antecedent.iswrong here?
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Because the response refers grammatically only to the infinitive 'to write' for a future act—I won't forget to write. It parrots the utterance of #2, 'You won't forget to write, will you?
Compare:
You won't forget that you have written, will you?
No, I won'f forget it. ('it' = the past fact)
Compare:
You won't forget that you have written, will you?
No, I won'f forget it. ('it' = the past fact)
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