grammar - What does のに mean at the end of this sentence?

忘れてて良いのに

I understand this as: "You should forget about it"

But what does のに do?

Answer

のに is a conjunction that corresponds to "even though ～" or "despite ～".

(clause A)のに(clause B) = although A, B.

Unlike けど, it often (but not always) is followed by something regrettable/disappointing. Examples on JGram.

The latter clause is often omitted, and it implies the reality is something regrettable and contrary to the Clause A.

～のに。 = although ～, (something contrary), A, but..., I wish ～.

So 忘れてて良いのに means "You could have left it (although, in reality, you recalled and mentioned it)".

Examples:

• こんなに美味しいのに。 It's really delicious (and I wonder why you don't want to eat it)!


• そんなに賢いのに。 You are such a smart boy (and I don't understand why you did such a silly thing)!


• もっと頑張れば良かったのに。 You should have worked harder.


• 空を飛べたらいいのに。 I wish I could fly.

See also: