tense - Confusion with Had+forget

I am confused about the usage of "had" along with "forget". Let's take some serious example.

People usually took bath in rivers. Now, they've changed their tradition. I mean, they're bathing in their home, wasting a lot of water.

I want to say this using "forget". When I think of it, it usually comes to me like this:

The humans had forgot the rivers.

I'm also confused with this phrase. Is this right? Or instead does forgotten play a role? As it has already happened in the past, how can I phrase it? Any alternative choice that I can use here in order to avoid my confusion?

Answer

You can use "forgot" or "have forgotten", but not normally "had forgot" or "forgotten" by itself.

Forgot is usually used to indicate an instance of forgetfulness, for example:

I forgot to do my homework last night.

Joe forgot to set his alarm clock on Tuesday.

On the other hand, forgotten refers to being in a state of forgetfulness (particularly an ongoing one) - and hence always goes with an auxiliary verb; normally have:

I have forgotten how to speak French.

We have forgotten the ways of our ancestors.

In your specific instance, you probably want to use the word forgotten, because you want to say that the not only did we forget, but that the forgetfulness is ongoing. Consequently:

Humans have forgotten the rivers