In this lesson, we’ll cover a very useful topic for effective communication in English: expressing memories. Whether you want to share a past anecdote, convey a clear recollection of an event, or admit that you’ve forgotten something, this lesson will provide you with the expressions and phrases needed to articulate your memory in English.
Ready to enrich your vocabulary and language skills ? Let’s get started!
Remembering something:
To express that you remember something in English, you can use the following expressions:
“I remember…”:
Used to indicate that a memory is present in your mind.
Example:
“I remember that beautiful day at the beach.”
“I recall that…”:
A synonym for “I remember…”.
Example:
“I recall that we had dinner together last night.”
“It’s coming back to me!”:
Used to express that a memory is resurfacing after being momentarily forgotten.
Example:
“Oh yes, it’s coming back to me! We need to pick up Marie from the airport.”
Forgetting something:
When you want to express that you have forgotten something in English, here are useful phrases:
“I forgot…”:
Simple and direct, this expression indicates that you have lost the memory of an event or information.
Example:
“I forgot the name of that person.”
“It doesn’t ring a bell.”:
Used to convey that a memory doesn’t come to mind at all.
Example:
“This movie doesn’t ring a bell; I don’t think I’ve seen it before.”
“I can’t remember…”:
Indicates that you are trying to recall something, but without success.
Example:
“I can’t remember where I put my keys.”
Expressing a fuzzy memory:
Sometimes, you may have a fuzzy or uncertain memory of an event. Here’s how to express it in English:
“I think that…”:
Used when you believe you remember something but aren’t entirely sure.
Example:
“I think that we had a meeting at 4 PM.”
“It seems to me that…”:
Similar to “I think that…,” this expression indicates a less solid memory.
Example:
“It seems to me that we went to this restaurant a long time ago.”
Congratulations! You now have new expressions to express your memory in English. Whether recalling fond memories, admitting you’ve forgotten something, or expressing uncertain memories, these phrases will be very useful in your everyday English conversations. Keep practicing and using them regularly. Best of luck with your English learning, and stay tuned for more linguistic discoveries!
