Remember and forget: a memory of doing or a task to do?

The idea

Use remember/forget + ing for a memory of an earlier experience. Use remember/forget + to-infinitive for recalling a task in time or failing to do it through forgetfulness. Remembered to bring reports that Sam did not forget the task and brought the charger.

Examples

• I remember hanging the keys beside the door.
• Please remember to label each jar.
• Sam remembered to bring the charger.
• We forgot to pack the picnic blanket.
• I will never forget hearing the choir in that hall.
• She does not remember signing the delivery form.

Watch out

The infinitive is not always future: Sam's remembering and bringing are both past. Does not remember signing means the memory is absent, not that signing certainly never occurred. I'll never forget hearing... promises a lasting memory of an earlier experience.

Try it yourself

1. Recall an earlier action. I remember ___ the keys beside the door. (hanging / to hang)

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   hanging

   Hanging presents the action as an earlier experience now recalled. The instruction asks for a memory, not a reminder to hang the keys.

2. Give a reminder for a task still to do. Remember ___ each jar. (to label / labelling)

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   to label

   To label identifies the task the listener must remember to carry out. Labelling would refer to a memory of the activity instead.

3. What does the sentence establish? She does not remember signing the form. (She has no memory of signing it. / She definitely did not sign it.)

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   She has no memory of signing it

   Only the absence of a memory is stated. She may have signed and forgotten, or may not have signed; this sentence alone does not decide that.

Use it today

Write a vivid memory with I remember + ing. Add a reminder for tomorrow with Remember to..., then explain why the two complements differ.