Cool MateDiscard vs Forget about that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Discard
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Forget about that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: DiscardMost common: Forget about that
| Discard | Forget about that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈkɑːd//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈkɑrd// | 🇬🇧 //fərˈɡɛt əˈbaʊt ðæt//🇺🇸 //fərˈɡɛt əˈbaʊt ðæt// |
| Meaning | To throw something away or get rid of it. | Don't think about that anymore. |
| Example | Please discard any items that are damaged. | You should just forget about that mistake and move on. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | discard a plan, discard evidence, discard old habits | forget about the past, forget about that error, forget about it |
| Antonyms | keep, retain, preserve | - |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'dispose of' which has similar meaning but is more formal., Use 'discard' incorrectly with non-physical items, like feelings., Misuse the tense; should be 'discarded' in past forms. | Using 'forget' without 'about' in a sentence., Confusing it with 'don't worry about that' - they imply different feelings., Using it in overly formal contexts. |
| Usage notes | Use 'discard' when talking about getting rid of things that are no longer wanted or needed. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. | Used in casual conversations to dismiss or move on from a topic. Not appropriate for formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Discard vs Forget about that
What's the difference between Discard and Forget about that?
Discard: To throw something away or get rid of it. Forget about that: Don't think about that anymore.
Which is more formal: Discard and Forget about that?
Discard is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Discard and Forget about that?
Forget about that is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Discard: Please discard any items that are damaged. Forget about that: You should just forget about that mistake and move on.
Can I use Discard and Forget about that interchangeably?
Not always. Discard and Forget about that are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.