Is “Forgot” a Compound Word? Explained Simply
English can sometimes be tricky when it comes to word formation. Some words are made by joining two separate words together — we call these compound words. Others look like they might be compound words but actually aren’t. Today, let’s take a closer look at the word “forgot” and figure out whether it’s a compound word or not.
What is a Compound Word?
Before we jump into analyzing “forgot,” we need to understand what a compound word actually is. A compound word is formed when two individual words come together to create a new meaning. These can be:
- Open compounds: Two words written separately, e.g., ice cream.
- Closed compounds: Two words joined together without space, e.g., notebook.
- Hyphenated compounds: Two words joined with a hyphen, e.g., mother-in-law.
The important part is: each word in a compound has a separate meaning, but when joined, it creates a new meaning altogether.
Breaking Down “Forgot”
Now let’s see if “forgot” fits the definition of a compound word.
Does “forgot” come from two separate words?
No, “forgot” is not made up of two independent words combined. It is actually the past tense of the verb “forget”, which means “to fail to remember.” The word has one clear root without being formed by merging two whole words.
Etymology of “Forgot”
The word “forgot” comes from Old English forgietan, where “for-” was used as a prefix (often meaning away, off, or to intensify) and “gietan” meant “to get” or “to grasp.” Over centuries, it evolved into “forget” and its past tense “forgot.”
This shows that “forgot” is more of a prefix + root word combination, not two separate meaningful words joined together like in compound words.
Compound Word vs. Derived Word
In simple terms:
- Compound word: Formed by joining two standalone words. Example: basketball (basket + ball).
- Derived word: Formed by adding a prefix or suffix to a root. Example: forgot (for- + get), but “get” here is not added in the same way as compound words — it has changed in form over time.
Why “Forgot” Is Not a Compound Word
Even though “for-” and “get” may sound like two words today, in “forgot” they don’t function as independent words joined together. The “for-” part is a historical prefix, and it no longer carries the same standalone meaning it once had.
Examples for Better Understanding
Let’s compare “forgot” to true compound words so you’ll see the difference:
| Word | Type | How It’s Formed |
|---|---|---|
| Notebook | Compound | Note + Book (two meaningful words joined) |
| Ice cream | Compound (open) | Ice + Cream |
| Forgot | Derived from root + prefix | Old English for- + gietan (“get”), evolved to “forget” and past tense “forgot” |
Key Points to Remember
- “Forgot” is the past tense of “forget.”
- It is not a compound word because it is not made from two standalone words.
- The structure comes from a root word combined with a prefix from Old English.
- True compound words keep the meanings of both words but create a new meaning when joined.
💡 Final Thought
So, to answer the question clearly: No, “forgot” is not a compound word. It’s a word formed through historical changes and comes from the past tense of “forget.” Many words in English have old roots and prefixes that evolved over time, which can make them look like compound words at first glance. Next time you see a word that seems like two parts joined together, try to check whether those parts were once full words or just prefixes and roots. This little habit will make your vocabulary and understanding of English much stronger.