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Had forgotten vs Have forgotten

The phrases "had forgotten" and "have forgotten" are both correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Had forgotten" is used in the past perfect tense to indicate an action that was completed before another past action. On the other hand, "have forgotten" is used in the present perfect tense to indicate an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 1055 views

Had forgotten

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English in the past perfect tense.

Use "had forgotten" in the past perfect tense to indicate an action that was completed before another past action. For example, "I had forgotten my keys at home before I left for work."

Examples:

She had forgotten to turn off the stove before leaving the house.
By the time I arrived, he had forgotten about our meeting.
They had forgotten their anniversary until the last minute.
Had you forgotten to buy milk on your way home?
The teacher had forgotten to assign homework for the weekend.

Show examples from the web [+]

Aug 28, 2010 ... "I had forgotten" is is the simple past perfect, used to express an action taking place before a certain time in the past. This tense emphasizes ...
Nov 1, 2012 ... 1-I forgot to copy you yesterday. 2-I had forgotten to copy you yesterday. On a side note: can you recommend a helpful grammar handbook?
She glanced at the door, realizing she had forgotten to lock it. Yeah, I'd forgotten about that. She had forgotten not to smile and to keep her lips closed together.
Feb 17, 2016 ... I'm sorry, I was forgetting (= I had forgotten) (that) you would be away in August. [+ -ing verb] She would never forget seeing the Himalayas ...

Alternatives:

had not remembered
had failed to recall
had neglected to recollect
had left out of memory
had omitted from mind

Have forgotten

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English in the present perfect tense.

Use "have forgotten" in the present perfect tense to indicate an action that started in the past and has relevance to the present. For example, "I have forgotten my password for the website."

Examples:

I have forgotten to call my friend back.
She has forgotten where she put her keys.
We have forgotten to buy groceries for dinner.
Have you forgotten to send the email to the client?
He has forgotten all about the project deadline.

Show examples from the web [+]

Dec 19, 2008 ... It depends on where you are. In the U.S., it would be "I have forgotten"; "forgot" would make you sound like you had not learned the difference ...
My son Ryan and I are arguing over the proper expression of "must have forgot" or "must have forgotten" The context is that he has sent out an email earlier and ...
Aug 13, 2010 ... on a website I always answer in my head: "No, I have not forgot my password, I have forgotten my password" – Phil Peace Aug 13 '10 at 14:53 ...
Future perfect. I will have forgotten you will have forgotten he will have forgotten we will have forgotten you will have forgotten they will have forgotten ...

Alternatives:

have not remembered
have failed to recall
have neglected to recollect
have left out of memory
have omitted from mind

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