"I forgot what your name is" vs "I forgot what your name was"

Question

"I forgot what your name is" vs "I forgot what your name was"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'I forgot what your name was' is used when referring to a past event or situation, while 'I forgot what your name is' is used when referring to the present moment. The choice between 'was' and 'is' depends on the timeframe being discussed.

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker currently does not remember the other person's name.

Examples:

I'm sorry, I forgot what your name is.
Can you remind me what your name is?
I forgot what your name is, could you please tell me again?
I forgot what your name is, can you remind me?
I forgot what your name is, could you please repeat it?

Alternatives:

I forgot what your name is called
I forgot what your name is known as
I forgot what your name is referred to as
I forgot what your name is identified as
I forgot what your name is recognized as

This phrase is used to indicate that at some point in the past, the speaker forgot the other person's name.

Examples:

I met him last year, but I forgot what his name was.
Can you remind me what the answer was?
She told me her favorite color, but I forgot what it was.

Alternatives:

I forgot what your name used to be
I forgot what your name had been
I forgot what your name had become
I forgot what your name had
I forgot what your name had sounded like

Answer 1

I forgot what your name is

This phrase is correct when referring to the present moment.

Answer 2

I forgot what your name was

This phrase is correct when referring to a past event or situation.

"I forgot what your name is" vs "I forgot what your name was"

I forgot what your name is

I forgot what your name was

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