"if he forgets" vs "if he forgot"

Question

"if he forgets" vs "if he forgot"

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "If he forgot" is used when talking about a past event or situation, while "if he forgets" is used when talking about a future event or situation.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

Use "if he forgets" when discussing a hypothetical future situation or consequence.

Examples:

If he forgets his lines, the play will be a disaster.
I will remind him if he forgets the meeting time.

Alternatives:

if he were to forget
if he were to forget
if he fails to remember
if he fails to recall
if he fails to recollect

Use "if he forgot" when talking about something that happened in the past and you are discussing a hypothetical situation or consequence.

Examples:

If he forgot his keys, he would have been locked out of the house.
I would have helped him if he forgot the directions.

Alternatives:

if he had forgotten
if he had forgotten
if he had not remembered
if he had not recalled
if he had not recollected

Answer 1

if he forgets

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

Answer 2

if he forgot

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

"if he forgets" vs "if he forgot"

if he forgets

if he forgot

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