word usage - Is it correct to use 'Forgot password' or 'Forgotten password'


Many websites use the phrase 'Forgot password?' when prompting users to renew their login passwords. Is this correct usage or should it be 'Forgotten password?'.



Answer



Both are acceptable depending on the context.


"Forgot password" could simply be an informal (shortened) way of saying "I forgot my password." We commonly miss out pronouns to be succinct. In this case, the words form a statement.


Similarly, "Forgot password" could be a shortened form of the question "Have you forgotten your password?".


"Forgotten password" uses the gerundive (Attributive Verb), and thus is also perfectly fine, in that the page is directing the user to their forgotten password. Here, the words form a noun phrase.


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