Cool MateForget vs Neglect
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forget
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Neglect
Top 3,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Forget
| Forget | Neglect | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fəˈɡet/","/fəˈɡets/","/fəˈɡɒt/","/fəˈɡɒtn/","/fəˈɡetɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fərˈɡet/","/fərˈɡets/","/fərˈɡɑːt/","/fərˈɡɑːtn/","/fərˈɡetɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //nɪˈɡlɛkt//🇺🇸 //nɪˈɡlɛkt// |
| Meaning | To fail to remember something. | To not pay attention to something or someone. |
| Example | I always forget where I put my keys. | He tends to neglect his health due to his busy schedule. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 3,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten, completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten, completely, quite, totally, seem to, tend to, want to, about, forget all about something, keep forgetting, largely forgotten | neglect responsibilities, neglect duties, neglect health, neglect a cause |
| Antonyms | remember, recall | care, attend, nurture |
| Common mistakes | 'Forget' is incorrectly used with a gerund (e.g., 'forget doing' instead of 'forget to do')., Confusing 'forget' with 'forgive' which have different meanings., Using 'forget' inappropriately in passive forms. | Confused with 'neglected' as past tense only., Used without an object, neglect must involve something specific., Misuse as a synonym for 'ignore' without understanding the depth. |
| Usage notes | Use 'forget' in neutral contexts when discussing memory. Avoid in formal writing; consider 'neglect' or 'overlook' instead. | Used in formal and informal contexts; avoid in casual conversation unless discussing serious issues. It's appropriate for discussing responsibilities, care, or attention. |
Frequently asked questions: Forget vs Neglect
What's the difference between Forget and Neglect?
Forget: To fail to remember something. Neglect: To not pay attention to something or someone.
Which is more common: Forget and Neglect?
Forget is the most common in everyday English.
Are Forget and Neglect the same CEFR level?
Forget: A1, Neglect: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Forget and Neglect interchangeably?
Not always. Forget and Neglect 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.