Oh, no! You’ve forgotten to do something, haven’t you? It’s okay. You’re only human. But you’ll need to tell your boss you forgot something to avoid getting into trouble.
So, how do you do that?
This article has gathered the best phrases to show you how to say you forgot to do something in an email.
- I’m so sorry, but I did not complete the task
- I’m very sorry, but it slipped my mind
- Unfortunately, I did not get around to completing that
- I’m afraid I forgot to do that
- I’m sorry, but I forgot about it
- I have no excuses, but I forgot
- Please excuse me for forgetting about this
- I did not prioritize this as I should have
- I hope you can forgive me for forgetting
- Please accept my apologies for my mistake
You should read on to learn how to say “I forgot” in other words (and make it more formal). There are plenty of great alternatives, and we’ve provided examples for each one.
1. I’m So Sorry, but I Did Not Complete the Task
You can never go wrong with “I’m so sorry.” It’s good in a work email when you’ve overlooked or forgotten about an important task.
If you send it to your boss, they’ll often forgive you (provided it doesn’t happen too often). It’s good to apologize for forgetting to do something, which is why we encourage including “I’m so sorry.”
From there, you can keep the phrase simple. “I did not complete the task” does the trick. It is direct and clear and shows that you didn’t manage to complete something.
We highly recommend checking out the following example:
Dear Ms. Ryan,
I’m so sorry, but I did not complete the task. Would it be OK if I started working on it now to complete it by tomorrow?
Yours,
Darren Mayweather
2. I’m Very Sorry, but It Slipped My Mind
Another great way to apologize for forgetting a task is “I’m very sorry, but it slipped my mind.”
It is a professional way to say you forgot to do something at work. Most employers will understand if something like this happens every now and then.
Generally, “it slipped my mind” is a bit more casual than some other choices. So, you’re better off using it in a workplace that doesn’t depend on formal language. It works really well if you have a good working relationship with your boss.
You should also check out this example:
Dear Adam,
I’m very sorry, but it slipped my mind. I have no excuse for it other than having a really busy working schedule this week.
Kind regards,
Marianne Josephine
3. Unfortunately, I Did Not Get Around to Completing That
If you need to know how to say “forgot” in a professional way, look no further than “unfortunately, I did not get around to completing that.”
It’s formal and respectful, showing an employer that you did not complete a task as they requested.
While it’s disappointing to forget about a task, a phrase like this will help to lighten the blame on you.
It shows your employer that you regret your mistake and would like to do whatever you can to make things right.
Here is an email example to show you how it works:
Dear Michael,
Unfortunately, I did not get around to completing that. Could you extend the deadline for me?
All the best,
Sam Smith
4. I’m Afraid I Forgot to Do That
A simple yet professional way to say you forgot to do something is “I’m afraid I forgot to do that.”
Saying “I’m afraid” at the start is a really formal way to let someone know that you regret forgetting about a task.
We recommend using this when emailing clients. It shows you genuinely forgot to do something that might have benefited them. It’s good to ask for their forgiveness, especially if you would like to keep them as a client.
This email sample will also help you understand it better:
Dear Ms. Monroe,
I’m afraid I forgot to do that. I take full responsibility for my actions, and I hope you can forgive me.
Kind regards,
Evie Foster
5. I’m Sorry, but I Forgot About It
Simplicity is key when apologizing. Try “I’m sorry, but I forgot about it” in formal emails when you’re struggling to come up with any other phrase.
It’s a great example of what to say when you forget something important without being overly wordy or apologetic.
It works well because it’s honest and clear. Your boss will happily accept your apology (as long as it’s only the first time you’ve forgotten about a task). That’s why we recommend using it in most professional cases.
Perhaps the following example will clear some things up:
Dear Martina,
I’m sorry, but I forgot about it until a few moments ago. Is it OK if I start working on it now, or has the deadline passed?
Best wishes,
Dean Barton
6. I Have No Excuses, but I Forgot
You need to own your mistakes when you make them. It’s the mark of good character, and it shows your employer that you’re trying to learn.
“I have no excuses, but I forgot” is a great way to take responsibility in an email.
A good boss will take kindly to a phrase like this in a work email. It shows you made an honest mistake, but you understand it and are willing to learn from it. It assures them that you won’t make the same mistake again.
Here is a sample email to show you more about how it works:
Dear Mr. Anderson,
I have no excuses, but I forgot all about this task. Please forgive me for such an oversight.
Yours,
Roger Federal
7. Please Excuse Me for Forgetting About This
You could try “please excuse me for forgetting about this” if you want to know how to say you forgot something professionally.
It shows you’re regretful about forgetting something, and you’d like to be excused for such a mistake.
We recommend this one when emailing your boss, especially if they’ve given you a clear deadline. It shows you missed the deadline but would like a chance to correct your mistake.
Here’s a useful example to help you understand it if you’re still unsure:
Dear Martha,
Please excuse me for forgetting about this. I hope you will extend the deadline and forgive my mistake.
Yours,
Roger Arthur
8. I Did Not Prioritize This as I Should Have
Prioritization helps you to navigate your daily work tasks. But getting it wrong often means you overlook certain tasks or forget to complete them on time.
That’s why “I did not prioritize this as I should have” is a great way to let an employer know you forgot to do something.
It’s clear and honest, which works well in a formal email to your boss. We highly recommend it if you respect your boss and want them to respect you.
You may also refer to the following example to help you:
Dear Mrs. Packet,
I did not prioritize this as I should have, so I did not get around to the task. I am very sorry about that.
All the best,
Holly Woodstock
9. I Hope You Can Forgive Me for Forgetting
A slightly more casual alternative is “I hope you can forgive me for forgetting.” It works really well if you’ve let a coworker down.
For instance, if you forgot to complete a task they were relying on you to complete, you should use this phrase.
It’s apologetic and sincere, making it a great one to include in situations like this. Most colleagues will happily forgive you, as long as you word it like this.
You should also refer to this example if you’re still stuck:
Dear Rory,
I hope you can forgive me for forgetting to complete the project. It was not my intention to miss the deadline.
Best wishes,
Andrew Jackson
10. Please Accept My Apologies for My Mistake
Finally, you could say “please accept my apologies for my mistake” in formal emails. It’s a really respectful phrase that shows you did not mean to forget about a task.
We highly recommend this when emailing clients who had expected you to complete a task. It shows that you own your mistake and would like to make it up to them however possible.
Check out this email example to see how to use it:
Dear Ms. Tail,
Please accept my apologies for my mistake. I do not know how I managed to forget about this.
Kind regards,
Morgan Regala