Trouble with olvidar

Question

"I didn't forget the exams" is translated "No se olvidó de los examines". Why isn't it "olvidan"? in the present and plural for exams?

los exámenes - Agora, Jun 7, 2011

thank you all for your help! - sulcata, Jun 8, 2011

Answer 1

The problem with "olvidar" is that i always forget.

Now, it depends of context:

Olvidé los exámenes - generally said if you forgot them at home

Me olvidé de los exámenes/ se me olvidaron los exámenes- said when you forgot you were going to be examined.

Se me olvidaron los exámenes - You forgot them at home or somewhere. (also)

I know I am forgetting some more combinations...

Answer 2

I think it's easy for those of us who are non-native speakers to confuse words like olvidar and olvidarse. They work differently and sometimes have very different meanings. In this case: Olvidé los exámenes (I forgot the exams) is slightly different from: se me olvidaron los exámenes (the exams were forgotten to me).

At least that's how I think of it.

The fact that he wrote ""No se olvidó de los examines" indicates to me that he wanted to use passive form, "No se.........me olvidó" - jeezzle, Jun 7, 2011

"Olvidar" es un único verbo que admite distintas construcciones ( y siempre significa lo mismo): "olvidé los éxamenes" es una construccción transitiva, "se me olvidaron los éxamenes" es una construcción intransitiva pronominal - - Agora, Jun 7, 2011

Intransitive yes, but passive for sure. Se me cayeron, se me olvidaron, or are you saying that it is different somehow because the word olvidar operates differently than the normal passive construction? - jeezzle, Jun 7, 2011

Interesting! - MLucie, Jun 8, 2011

Answer 3

Did you mean to take the exams, or the actual physical exams?

I would say "No se me olvidaron los examenes". if it's the physical exams.

exámenes - Agora, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 4

"I didn't forget the exams" is translated "No se olvidó de los examines". Why isn't it "olvidan"? in the present and plural for exams?

I would put, "No me olvidé los examines". It's not in the present because you are say I did not forget. Did is the past version of do. It is not plural because the exams didn't forget about the exams, "I" [really, you] did.

Great question, though. Hope I clarified.

los exámenes - Agora, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 5

"I didn't forget the exams" is translated "No se olvidó de los examines". Why isn't it "olvidan"? in the present and plural for exams?

If you wish to say "I didn't forget the exams" you would say " no olvidé los exámenes¨"

Because you are the actor in this case.

Answer 6

It is not in the third person because «Los examines» is the direct object of the sentence and "I" is the subject of which the verb is conjugated. Entónces, puede decir, «No los olvidé».

los exámenes - Agora, Jun 7, 2011

Answer 7

This question and explanations about olvidar/olvidarse have been addressed several times recently. You can search the answers.

Answer 8

No olvidé los exámenes. I didn't forget the exams.

Olvidan means ("they" or "you, plural") forget" in present form.