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'forget' vs 'forget about'


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'forget' vs 'forget about' #1 (permalink) Fri May 23, 2008 18:26 pm   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Hi,
What's the difference between 'forget' and 'forget about'?

Many thanks
Nessie
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #2 (permalink) Fri May 23, 2008 22:00 pm   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

She forgot her purse. = She forgot to bring her purse with her.

She forgot about her purse. = She forgot that her purse existed or was there.
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #3 (permalink) Fri May 23, 2008 23:43 pm   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

??

Let's forget the past and move on. OK?
Let's forget about the past and move on. OK?


A:Thanks for your help.
B: Forget it, it was nothing/Forget about it, it was nothing.
Molly
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #4 (permalink) Sat May 24, 2008 1:09 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Just my two cents:

Let's forget the past and move on. OK? = Let's forget what happened in the past and move on. OK? (direct)

Let's forget about the past and move on. OK? = Let's forget what is on your mind about the past and move on. OK? (indirect)
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #5 (permalink) Sat May 24, 2008 1:19 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Haihao wrote:
Let's forget about the past and move on. OK? = Let's forget what is on your mind about the past and move on. OK? (indirect)

It's awkward to me. Better would be something like, "Let's clear our minds of the past and move on."
Jamie (K)
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #6 (permalink) Sat May 24, 2008 4:50 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Molly's examples state exactly what I want to ask. May I have a clearer clarification, please?
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Sorry seems to be the hardest word...
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #7 (permalink) Sat May 24, 2008 7:43 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Hi Nessie,

'Forget' on its own simply means 'not remember'. I forgot my password - Have you forgotten your password? When you add 'about', you are talking more generally to suggest 'dismiss/remove from your memory. A conversation:

A I have forgotten my password.
B Don't you remember that you put all your passwords on a sheet of paper?
A Yes, you're right. I'd forgotten about that.

Alan
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #8 (permalink) Sat May 24, 2008 8:34 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Alan's explanation convinced me thoroughly. Smile
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #9 (permalink) Sun May 25, 2008 10:51 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Same here Razz
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Sad... something we never have again, I know... I guess I really really know.. Sad

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'forget' vs 'forget about' #10 (permalink) Sun May 25, 2008 15:48 pm   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Not really same here though:

How about this:
A: Let's go to the zoo!
B: How about the homework?
A: Forget it/ Forget about it. Tomorrow is sunday, isn't it?

=> According to Alan's explaination, "forget about it" should be chosen here, but I've heard the version "forget it" used many times.

Regards
O.
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #11 (permalink) Mon May 26, 2008 0:19 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

You could make your answer both ways but they are still different. Here, 'forget it', as Alan indicated, suggests 'don't remind me of that' = don't remember it as to carry it to me while 'forget about it' = no need to keep that in your memory = remove that from your memory.
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #12 (permalink) Mon May 26, 2008 0:36 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

I would look at it slightly differently from Molly and Alan:

1. To forget X.
2. To forget about X.

The preposition "about" can mean "concerning", "relating to", "with regard to", etc.

Thus #1 means "to forget X itself"; whereas #2 means "to forget that which relates to X".

Cf.

3. To forget all about X.

i.e. "to forget everything that relates to X".

If I say "I forgot my passport", for example, I mean "I forgot the passport itself". But if I say "I forgot about my passport", I mean "I forgot something that relates to my passport", e.g.

A: "Why don't we go to Singapore next weekend."
B: "That's a good idea. But I thought your passport had expired..."
C: "Damn. I'd forgotten about my passport."

(In some contexts, of course, both are possible.)

MrP
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #13 (permalink) Mon May 26, 2008 0:53 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

How about,

1. "forgot the passport" = "forgot the passport itself"
2. "forgot about the passport" = "forgot the passport thing"
Haihao
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #14 (permalink) Mon May 26, 2008 7:11 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Quote:
Thus #1 means "to forget X itself"; whereas #2 means "to forget that which relates to X".


How does that apply here?

A:Thanks for your help.
B: Forget it, it was nothing/Forget about it, it was nothing.
Molly
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'forget' vs 'forget about' #15 (permalink) Mon May 26, 2008 7:36 am   'forget' vs 'forget about'
 

Hi,

Quote:
I would look at it slightly differently from Molly and Alan:


I can't see the 'slight difference' you give in your lengthy answer.

Alan
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In spite vs inspite of | Topic translation: As to the duty of pursuing equality, there is no such consent
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