Forgot vs Miss
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Forgot
Top 1,000 (very common)
Miss
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
| Forgot | Miss | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //fəˈɡɒt//🇺🇸 //fərˈɡɑt// | 🇬🇧 /["/mɪs/","/ˈmɪsɪz/","/mɪst/","/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/mɪs/","/ˈmɪsɪz/","/mɪst/","/ˈmɪsɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | To fail to remember something. | To not catch or hit something. |
| Example | I forgot my wallet at home. | I miss my family when I am away from home. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | forget someone's name, forget a lesson, forget an appointment | completely, barely, just, by, completely, easily, cannot, completely, easily, cannot, completely, easily, cannot |
| Antonyms | remember, recall | catch, hit, achieve |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'forgot' with 'forget'. 'Forgot' is past tense., Using 'forgot' without an object when it needs one., Mispronouncing the word, especially the ending. | 'Miss' is sometimes confused with 'miss out on', which has a different meaning., 'Miss' should not be used as a noun unless referring to a title (like 'Miss Smith')., Learners may use 'miss' instead of 'lose' when discussing something that was once owned. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in everyday conversation. Avoid using in very formal writing. More often used in past tense. | Use 'miss' when referring to not being able to catch or reach something. It can also refer to feelings, like missing someone. Avoid using it in overly formal situations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Forgot vs Miss
What's the difference between Forgot and Miss?
Forgot: To fail to remember something. Miss: To not catch or hit something.
Can you show an example of each?
Forgot: I forgot my wallet at home. Miss: I miss my family when I am away from home.
Can I use Forgot and Miss interchangeably?
Not always. Forgot and Miss 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.