Do we say I forget or I forgot?

Question

like if u forgot the steps of a math problem

do u say to the teacher "I forgot" or "I forget"

I hear people saying forget or forgot in this accasion, so I am just wondering =]

Answer 1

"I forget" if you're still working on the problem and are asking the teacher for help remembering the steps.
"I forgot" if you have already gotten the wrong answer and are explaining that it was because you didn't remember the steps.

It's a good question, by the way - because what people say in this situation often depends on their own feelings about it. For example, if the teacher tells you that your answer is wrong, you might feel like you can still keep trying with a little help. If so, you could say, "I forget". But somebody else might feel like he had failed. Then he would probably just apologize by saying "I forgot".

Answer 2

I think US usage may be different from British for this kind of statement.

My (non-US) understanding is that "I forgot" implies that your forgetting is over and you have since remembered, but "I forget" means "I am still forgetting so I still don't know".

So I would say to the teacher "I forget (the steps of the maths problem, so can you please remind me)." If you said "I forgot" the teacher might say, "Well if you've remembered them, would you please solve the problem now."

But in the US they may say "I forgot" even if they are still forgetting.

Answer 3

Two examples:

1. Did you remember that?

Oh, I forgot.

2. Did you remember how to do that?

Oh, I forget how to do that.

Answer 4

i forget means u expect to remember because it is present tense, so you are in the process of having forgot, but hope to remember in the future. i forgot is passed tense, u need reminding

Answer 5

I forget-present tense it is happening right now

I forgot-past tense it already happened

Answer 6

you say i forgot when it is past tense, but forget for future.

Answer 7

YOU WOULD SAY I FORGET IF IT WAS A PAST MEMORY THAT YOU COULD NOT RECALL----YOU WOULD SAY I FORGOT IF IT WAS TO DO WITH A RECENT OR UPCOMING EVENT

Answer 8

forget - present tense
forgot - past tense.
simple.

Answer 9

i forgot

Answer 10

One is present, one is past, either is appropriate.