Meaning
Stating that one cannot recall something.
Cultural Background
In Germany, being forgetful regarding appointments is seen as quite rude. Always follow 'Ich habe es vergessen' with a plan to fix it. In Switzerland, you might hear 'Ich ha's vergässe', which is the dialect version of the same phrase. Austrians might use 'vergessen' similarly, but with a softer melodic intonation.
The 'Es' Placeholder
Always include 'es' if you don't name the object. 'Ich habe vergessen' sounds incomplete in German.
Strong Verb Alert
Remember: it's 'vergessen', not 'vergesst'. Don't let the '-en' ending fool you into thinking it's an infinitive!
Meaning
Stating that one cannot recall something.
The 'Es' Placeholder
Always include 'es' if you don't name the object. 'Ich habe vergessen' sounds incomplete in German.
Strong Verb Alert
Remember: it's 'vergessen', not 'vergesst'. Don't let the '-en' ending fool you into thinking it's an infinitive!
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct auxiliary verb.
Ich ___ es vergessen.
The verb 'vergessen' always uses 'haben' in the Perfekt tense.
Which sentence is correct?
You forgot your homework ({die|f} Hausaufgabe).
Since 'Hausaufgabe' is feminine, the pronoun must be 'sie'.
Fill in the missing phrase.
A: Hast du {den|m} Schlüssel? B: Nein, ___ ___ ___ ___.
'Schlüssel' is masculine, so we use 'ihn'.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You forgot to call your mom.
This uses the 'vergessen' + 'zu' + infinitive structure.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
What can you forget?
Objects
- • {der|m} Schlüssel
- • {das|n} Handy
- • {die|f} Tasche
Information
- • {der|m} Name
- • {die|f} Nummer
- • {das|n} Wort
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ___ es vergessen.
The verb 'vergessen' always uses 'haben' in the Perfekt tense.
You forgot your homework ({die|f} Hausaufgabe).
Since 'Hausaufgabe' is feminine, the pronoun must be 'sie'.
A: Hast du {den|m} Schlüssel? B: Nein, ___ ___ ___ ___.
'Schlüssel' is masculine, so we use 'ihn'.
You forgot to call your mom.
This uses the 'vergessen' + 'zu' + infinitive structure.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYes, but it sounds very literary or old-fashioned. Stick to 'Ich habe es vergessen' for speaking.
You use 'vergessen' too! 'Ich habe ihn vergessen' (I forgot him).
No, 'vergessen' takes a direct object (accusative). No preposition needed.
Related Phrases
Ich habe es verlegt.
similarI misplaced it.
Es ist mir entfallen.
synonymIt slipped my mind.
Ich erinnere mich nicht.
contrastI don't remember.
