Forget vs Leave
Forget = it slips your mind (I forgot my keys). Leave = the thing stayed physically somewhere (I left my keys at home). With a PLACE, use 'leave'.
The one-line answer
Forget = it slips your mind (I forgot my keys). Leave = the thing stayed physically somewhere (I left my keys at home). With a PLACE, use 'leave'.
forget
verbto fail to remember something — about the memory, not the place
- I forgot to call her back.
- Don't forget your umbrella.
- I've completely forgotten his name.
leave
verbto not take something with you — the object stays at a place (leave – left – left)
- I left my phone at home.
- She left her bag on the train.
- We left early to avoid traffic.
Memory trick
The test: can you add a place? 'I ___ my keys AT HOME' → if a place fits, use 'left'. If it's just 'I forgot my keys' with no place, forget works. 'I forgot my keys at home' is understood but grammatically imprecise.
Forget vs Leave: Test yourself
Question 1 of 2I ___ my wallet on the restaurant table.