Learn English – Don’t remember vs. can’t remember

auxiliary-verbsdifferencesverbs

Could you tell me which is proper in English:

I don't remember.

I can't remember.

And if both are possible and good English, what is the difference?

Best Answer

They are both good English, and the difference in actual practice is very slight.

I don't remember means that I once knew, but now I do not. This is less committal, since it sounds as if I am not necessarily trying very hard to remember.

I can't remember means that I once knew, but now I cannot think of it. This is more emphatic, since it sounds as if I am testing the limits of my memory.

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