Esquecer de fazer vs. Esquecer fazendo
precisão sobre memórias e tarefas não feitas.
Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use 'to' for tasks you missed and '-ing' for memories you lost.
- Forgot to do: You didn't do the task. Example: 'I forgot to call him.'
- Forgot doing: You did it, but don't remember. Example: 'I forgot calling him.'
- Negative focus: 'Never forget doing' is common for vivid memories.
Overview
to do e doing muda toda a sua história. Usar o errado pode fazer seus amigos pensarem que você tem amnésia em vez de ser apenas um pouco bagunceiro.-ing), alguns gostam de infinitivos (to), e alguns — como forget — são verdadeiras rainhas do drama. Eles mudam todo o seu significado dependendo de qual vem a seguir.forget com um infinitivo, você está falando sobre um dever ou uma tarefa que não aconteceu. É a versão lista de tarefas do verbo.How This Grammar Works
Linha do Tempo da Ação. Pense nisso como uma missão de videogame. Se a missão ainda está ativa no seu diário, mas você não a completou, isso é o infinitivo (
to).-ing). A ação aconteceu no passado, e agora você está olhando para a gravação na sua cabeça. Se você diz I forgot to meet him, você ficou em casa e ele provavelmente está te mandando emojis bravos.
I forgot meeting him, você realmente sentou, tomou café, conversou por uma hora e depois apagou completamente esse evento do seu banco de memória. Um faz você parecer esquecido; o outro faz você parecer um pouco frio! A maioria das pessoas usa o infinitivo para tarefas diárias e o gerúndio para grandes momentos da vida.
Formation Pattern
Pulador de Tarefas ou um Perdedor de Memória.
forget no tempo correto. Você pode usar forget, forgot ou will never forget.
to + o verbo base. (Exemplo: I forgot to post the TikTok).
-ing. (Exemplo: I'll never forget posting my first TikTok).
Conjugation Table
| Forma | Exemplo | Vibe |
|---|---|---|
| --- | --- | --- |
| Infinitive (Tarefa) | I forgot to lock the door. |
A porta está escancarada agora. Ops. |
| Gerund (Memória) | I forgot locking the door. |
Eu tranquei, mas tenho zero memória de ter feito isso. |
| Future Task | Don't forget to call me! |
Um lembrete para o seu eu futuro. |
| Never + Gerund | I'll never forget traveling to Tokyo. |
Aquela viagem foi épica e eu ainda vejo as luzes. |
When To Use It
forget + to quando você está falando sobre responsabilidades. Essa é a gramática da vida adulta. Use para lembretes, prazos perdidos ou aqueles momentos em que você percebe que deixou seu guarda-chuva no ônibus.Sorry, I forgot to unmute myself! (Uma vibe clássica dos anos 2020). Use forget + -ing para experiências. É quase sempre emparelhado com never para falar sobre coisas sentimentais.seeing that sunset in Ibizasoa como uma ótima legenda para o Instagram. Você também pode usar quando realmente fez algo, mas seu cérebro não salvou o arquivo. Se você está numa festa e alguém dizWe met last year!
e você não faz ideia, você pode dizerI'm so sorry, I totally forgot
meeting you!" É uma maneira educada (ou estranha) de admitir uma falha de memória.
Common Mistakes
that quando um gerúndio é muito mais suave. Em vez de I forgot that I met him, tente
I forgot meeting him. Soa mais natural e menos como um robô lendo um banco de dados. Outra armadilha é usar o gerúndio para tarefas. Se você disser
I forgot calling my mom, significa que você ligou para ela, mas não se lembra disso. Sua mãe ainda ficará feliz porque recebeu a ligação. Mas se você quis dizer que não ligou para ela de jeito nenhum, você TEM QUE dizer
I forgot to call my mom. Usar o errado aqui pode levar a jantares de família muito confusos. Além disso, cuidado com seus tempos verbais! As pessoas muitas vezes esquecem que forget é um verbo irregular (forget, forgot, forgotten). Dizer I have forgetted fará seu professor de inglês chorar. Mantenha afiado: I forgot ou I have forgotten.Contrast With Similar Patterns
remember, regret e stop. Todos eles seguem a mesma lógica. Remember to é uma tarefa futura; remember -ing é uma memória passada.forget. Regret to tell you é para más notícias que você está prestes a dar (vibes formais de Zoom), enquanto regret telling you significa que você já contou a fofoca e agora se sente mal por isso. Stop to smoke significa que você pausou sua caminhada para fumar um cigarro.Stop smoking significa que você finalmente largou o vício. Pense em to como um destino que você ainda não alcançou, e -ing como uma estrada que você já percorreu. Se você conseguir dominar forget, você basicamente desbloqueou o código de trapaça para todos esses outros verbos também.Ação vs. Memória.
Quick FAQ
Posso dizer
I forgot that I had to...?
Você pode, mas I forgot to... é muito mais impactante e comum em mensagens de texto e conversas casuais.
I forgot meeting himé sempre negativo?
Geralmente, sim. Usamos isso para mostrar que perdemos uma memória. Se você se lembra, usaria remember.
Isso funciona com will?
Com certeza!
I will never forget visiting Parisé uma maneira clássica de expressar uma memória fundamental.
Posso usar para comida?
Claro!
I forgot to eat lunch(Estou com fome) vs.
I forgot eating that burger(Eu estava tão distraído que não lembro o gosto).
É ok para e-mails formais?
Use o infinitivo para tarefas como
I forgot to attach the file.O gerúndio é geralmente muito pessoal/emocional para e-mails de negócios, a menos que você esteja se aposentando.
Conjugating 'Forget' with Complements
| Tense | Forget Form | Infinitive (Task) | Gerund (Memory) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
forget / forgets
|
I forget to call.
|
I forget calling.
|
|
Past Simple
|
forgot
|
I forgot to call.
|
I forgot calling.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
have forgotten
|
I've forgotten to call.
|
I've forgotten calling.
|
|
Future
|
will forget
|
I'll forget to call.
|
I'll forget calling.
|
|
Negative Future
|
will never forget
|
I'll never forget to call.
|
I'll never forget calling.
|
Common Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
I did not forget
|
I didn't forget
|
I didn't forget to pay.
|
|
I will not forget
|
I won't forget
|
I won't forget to write.
|
|
I have forgotten
|
I've forgotten
|
I've forgotten to ask.
|
Meanings
The verb 'forget' changes meaning depending on whether it is followed by an infinitive (to + verb) or a gerund (verb + -ing).
Failure to perform a task
Using the infinitive indicates that a person did not perform an action because they did not remember it at the necessary time.
“Don't forget to buy milk on your way home.”
“She forgot to tell me about the meeting.”
Loss of memory of a past event
Using the gerund indicates that an action was performed in the past, but the person has no mental record or recollection of it.
“I'll never forget meeting you for the first time.”
“He forgot lending me the money, so he asked for it again.”
Neglecting a duty (Formal)
In formal contexts, 'forget to' can imply a failure of responsibility rather than just a memory slip.
“The defendant forgot to mention his previous convictions.”
“The company forgot to update its privacy policy.”
Reference Table
| Estrutura | Significado | Exemplo |
|---|---|---|
|
Forgot + to + verb
|
Você tinha a intenção de fazer algo, mas não fez.
|
I forgot to send the email.
|
|
Forgot + verb-ing
|
Você fez algo, mas não se lembra de ter feito.
|
I forgot sending the email.
|
|
Purpose
|
Para expressar uma intenção ou tarefa não concluída.
|
I forgot to buy milk.
|
|
Purpose
|
Para expressar uma memória esquecida de uma ação já feita.
|
I forgot seeing that movie.
|
|
Action Status
|
A ação NÃO aconteceu.
|
He forgot to turn off the light.
|
|
Action Status
|
A ação ACONTECEU.
|
He forgot turning off the light.
|
|
Common Error
|
Usar '-ing' quando a ação não foi feita.
|
❌ I forgot calling him (meaning I didn't call).
|
|
Common Error
|
Usar 'to + verb' quando a ação foi feita.
|
❌ I forgot to call him (meaning I called but don't recall).
|
Espectro de formalidade
I neglected to transmit the report. (Workplace communication)
I forgot to send the report. (Workplace communication)
I totally blanked on the report. (Workplace communication)
I straight up forgot the report, my bad. (Workplace communication)
Esquecer: A fazer vs. Feito
`To + Verb` (Infinitivo)
- Tarefa Não Concluída Forgot to send email
- Obrigação Perdida Forgot to call mom
- Intenção Futura Don't forget to buy milk
`Verb-ing` (Gerúndio)
- Memória Esquecida Forgot seeing film
- Falta de Recordação Forgot meeting him
- Ação Passada Forgot saying that
Comparativo de Ações com 'Forget'
Decidindo 'Forget to do' vs. 'Forgot doing'
A ação aconteceu?
É uma tarefa que você falhou em completar?
Você precisa pedir desculpas por não ter feito algo?
Situações Cotidianas com 'Forget'
Falhas na Lista de Afazeres
- • Forgot to buy groceries
- • Forgot to pay bill
- • Forgot to call friend
- • Forgot to close window
Lapsos de Memória
- • Forgot seeing that movie
- • Forgot meeting that person
- • Forgot saying something silly
- • Forgot visiting that place
Lembretes Comuns
- • Don't forget to lock door
- • Remember to set alarm
- • Never forget to be kind
Exemplos por nível
Don't forget to call me.
No te olvides de llamarme.
I forgot to do my homework.
Olvidé hacer mi tarea.
Please don't forget to close the door.
Por favor, no olvides cerrar la puerta.
He forgot to buy milk.
Él olvidó comprar leche.
I'll never forget meeting the president.
Nunca olvidaré conocer al presidente.
Did you forget to bring your passport?
¿Olvidaste traer tu pasaporte?
She forgot to send the email yesterday.
Ella olvidó enviar el correo ayer.
I forgot seeing that movie before.
Olvidé haber visto esa película antes.
I forgot to lock the car, so I had to go back.
Olvidé cerrar el coche, así que tuve que volver.
I completely forgot meeting him at the party last year.
Olvidé por completo haberlo conocido en la fiesta el año pasado.
Don't forget to check the weather before you leave.
No olvides revisar el clima antes de irte.
He forgot taking his medicine this morning.
Él olvidó que se tomó su medicina esta mañana.
I forgot to mention that the office will be closed on Friday.
Olvidé mencionar que la oficina estará cerrada el viernes.
I'll never forget walking across the stage at graduation.
Nunca olvidaré caminar por el escenario en la graduación.
Have you forgotten to sign the contract?
¿Has olvidado firmar el contrato?
She forgot telling me the secret, so she told me again.
Ella olvidó que me había contado el secreto, así que me lo contó de nuevo.
I forgot to include the citations in the first draft.
Olvidé incluir las citas en el primer borrador.
One never forgets being treated with such kindness.
Uno nunca olvida ser tratado con tanta amabilidad.
He had forgotten to set the alarm, which resulted in a chaotic morning.
Había olvidado poner la alarma, lo que resultó en una mañana caótica.
I forgot having promised to help him move house.
Olvidé haber prometido ayudarlo a mudarse.
The witness forgot to disclose his financial interest in the company.
El testigo olvidó revelar su interés financiero en la empresa.
I shall never forget standing atop the Himalayas, breathless and humbled.
Nunca olvidaré estar de pie en la cima del Himalaya, sin aliento y humilde.
To forget to act is one thing; to forget having acted is quite another.
Olvidar actuar es una cosa; olvidar haber actuado es otra muy distinta.
She forgot being reprimanded as a child for her curiosity.
Ella olvidó haber sido reprendida de niña por su curiosidad.
Fácil de confundir
Learners mix up the task/memory distinction just like with 'forget'.
This rule is different. 'Stop to' means you stop one action to start another. 'Stop doing' means you end an action.
Regret to is for giving bad news; Regret doing is for feeling sorry about the past.
Erros comuns
I forgot call him.
I forgot to call him.
Don't forget buy milk.
Don't forget to buy milk.
I forgot my keys at home.
I left my keys at home.
I forgot to meeting him.
I forgot meeting him.
I forgot to meeting her last year.
I forgot meeting her last year.
I'll never forget to see the ocean.
I'll never forget seeing the ocean.
Did you forget to locking the door?
Did you forget to lock the door?
I forgot sending the email, so I sent it again.
I forgot to send the email, so I sent it now.
She forgot to having been there.
She forgot having been there.
I forgot to tell you that I already told you.
I forgot telling you that.
He forgot to be told.
He forgot being told.
I forgot to mention to have seen him.
I forgot to mention seeing him.
I forgot to do it yesterday (when I actually did it).
I forgot doing it yesterday.
Padrões de frases
I forgot to ___ because ___.
I'll never forget ___ing ___.
Did you forget to ___ or did you just forget ___ing it?
Having forgotten to ___, I had to ___.
Real World Usage
Sorry, I forgot to reply!
I'll never forget leading my first team project.
Did you forget to include your order number?
Never forget chasing sunsets in Bali.
I forgot taking the pill this morning, so I took another one.
Don't forget to check your gate number.
Intenção vs. Memória
I forgot to buy milkvs
I forgot buying milk.
Consequências Diferentes
I forgot to send the report.
Ligação com 'Remember'
Remember to call mevs
Remember calling me.Desculpas e Responsabilidade
I forgot to send the email.
Foco no 'To'
I forgot to call her.
Smart Tips
Always use 'to'. You are apologizing for a task you didn't do.
Use 'never forget' + '-ing'. It sounds much more natural than 'I will always remember'.
Use the gerund in a question to ask about the memory itself.
Use 'neglected to' instead of 'forgot to' to sound more professional and precise.
Pronúncia
Reduction of 'to'
In 'forget to', the 'to' is often reduced to a schwa /tə/.
Linking 'forget' and '-ing'
When using the gerund, the final 't' of 'forget' or 'forgot' often links to the vowel of the next word.
Emphasis on 'never'
I will NEVER forget meeting her.
Conveys strong emotional significance.
Memorize
Mnemônico
To is for 'To-Do'; Ing is for 'In the past'.
Associação visual
Imagine a 'To-Do' list with an empty checkbox for 'Forget to'. Imagine a photo album for 'Forget doing'.
Rhyme
If there's a task you didn't do, use the word that starts with TO. If it's a memory from the spring, use the word that ends in ING.
Story
John had a busy day. He forgot TO buy a ring (so he had no gift). Later, he forgot BUYING the ring (he found it in his pocket and was surprised).
Word Web
Desafio
Write down three things you forgot to do yesterday, and one amazing thing you will never forget doing in your life.
Notas culturais
British speakers often use 'forgotten' as the past participle, but in casual speech, 'forgot' is sometimes heard. 'I've forgot to do it' is common in some dialects but considered non-standard.
American English strictly uses 'forgotten' as the past participle. 'I've forgotten to...' is the standard way to express a recent missed task.
In corporate settings, saying 'I forgot to...' is seen as taking responsibility. Saying 'I forgot doing...' can sound like you are disorganized or have a poor memory for your own actions.
The word 'forget' comes from Old English 'forgytan', meaning 'to lose grip on' or 'to let go'.
Iniciadores de conversa
What is one thing you always forget to do in the morning?
Tell me about a trip you will never forget taking.
Have you ever forgotten to bring something important to an exam or interview?
Do you ever forget doing something, like locking the door, and have to check twice?
Temas para diário
Erros comuns
Test Yourself
Don't ___ your umbrella, it's going to rain later.
Choose the correct sentence:
Find and fix the mistake:
She completely forgot to watch that movie, even though she saw it last week.
Translate into English: 'Olvidé cerrar la puerta con llave.'
Answer starts with: ["I...
Score: /4
Exercicios praticos
8 exercisesI forgot ___ (buy) a gift for the party, so I had to stop at the store.
Which sentence implies the person has a memory of the event?
Find and fix the mistake:
I'll never forget to see the Eiffel Tower for the first time.
I didn't remember to lock the door.
'I forgot to pay the bill' means the bill is still unpaid.
A: Why are you late? B: Sorry, I forgot ___ (set) my alarm.
1. I forgot to call. 2. I forgot calling.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesDon't ___ your umbrella, it's going to rain later.
Choose the correct sentence:
I must have forgotten to download that game because I just found it in my downloads folder.
Translate into English: 'Olvidé enviar el correo electrónico.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the phrases with the correct meaning:
I always ___ my phone at home, it's so frustrating!
Choose the correct sentence:
I'm so sorry, I totally forgot taking out the trash today.
Translate into English: '¿Olvidaste apagar las luces?'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
I can't believe I forgot to visit London last summer, even though I have photos!
Score: /12
Perguntas frequentes (8)
Yes, 'forget about' is usually followed by a noun or a gerund. 'I forgot about the meeting' or 'I forgot about calling him.' It often means you stopped thinking about it.
It is less common than 'forgot to'. Most people use it with 'never' for big memories. In other cases, they might say 'I don't remember doing that' instead.
'Forgot' is for a specific time in the past. 'Have forgotten' is used when the forgetting still affects the present (e.g., 'I've forgotten my password').
This is very rare and usually grammatically incorrect. Stick to 'I forgot doing' for past actions.
Yes! 'Remember to do' is for tasks, and 'Remember doing' is for memories. They are perfect mirrors of each other.
For tasks: 'I didn't forget to...'. For memories: 'I'll never forget...ing'.
'Forgot' is the past tense. 'Forgotten' is the past participle used with 'have' or in the passive voice.
This is common in casual speech, but technically you should use 'left' when you mention a place. 'I left my keys at home' is better.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Olvidar + infinitivo / Olvidar que...
Spanish lacks a direct gerund equivalent for memories.
Oublier de + infinitif / Oublier d'avoir + participe passé
French uses the infinitive for both, just in different tenses.
Vergessen zu + Infinitiv / Vergessen, dass...
German does not use the gerund (-ing) form at all.
〜するのを忘れる / 〜したのを忘れる
Japanese changes the tense of the internal verb (present vs past).
Nasiya an + subjunctive / Nasiya annahu + past
Arabic uses clause structures rather than simple verb endings.
忘记 (Wàngjì) + Verb
Chinese relies on aspect markers rather than infinitive/gerund distinctions.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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