I began to recall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I began to recall" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing the process of starting to remember something from the past. Example: "As I sat in the old café, I began to recall the summer we spent there years ago."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Encouraged, I began to recall other examples.

The New York Times - Food

After my initial shock at this unsuspected betrayal, I began to recall patients I had seen whose situations were not that dissimilar.

The New York Times

I began to recall fondly the time in 1980 when an anti-Thatcherite satire such as A Short Sharp Shock by Howard Brenton and Tony Howard provoked questions in the House.

The Guardian

Sitting in a studio flat in Warren Street with the windows shut, I began to recall how sound would ramify around my uncle's house in south Calcutta, always suggesting an elsewhere; around this time, I became aware that the soundtracks in Satyajit Ray's and Jean Renoir's films were as intent on capturing this elsewhere as they were in attending to the main story.

The Guardian - Music

I began to recall a host of conversation's I have had with my colleagues in our "Women in the Media" class last semester and currently, "Women in Literature" class.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

I had seen you before, too many times to count, but a farewell that my family threw for yours, at our house in Inman Square, is when I begin to recall your presence in my life.

The New Yorker

By Jhumpa Lahiri I had seen you before, too many times to count, but a farewell that my family threw for yours, at our house in Inman Square, is when I begin to recall your presence in my life.

The New Yorker

In March 2010, Namco Bandai Games began to recall Tales of Graces due to software bugs.

Wikipedia

In fact, it's so empty I'm beginning to recall images of post-apocalyptic movie The Road, except the forests aren't on fire and people aren't eating each other.

The Guardian - Travel

I can't begin to recall all the weekends I've spent overcome with anxiety, locked in my room playing hours of Bloodborne or Overwatch, escaping everything - the working week, the stress, the social awkwardness and the need to appear happy - only to end up feeling worse when the sun finally set on Sunday.

BBC

At 30 years her junior, I couldn't begin to recall the kinds of details that remain fresh in her still very active mind.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I began to recall" to introduce a reflective narrative, creating a sense of personal connection to the past. For instance, in a memoir or personal essay, this phrase can effectively signal a shift into recollections.

Common error

Avoid using "I began to recall" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Consider more direct alternatives like "I remembered" or "I recognized" for conciseness and clarity. Overusing it might make your text sound unnecessarily verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I began to recall" functions as an introspective narrative device. It introduces a memory or recollection, setting the stage for a personal anecdote or reflection. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase sets the stage for recounting past experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

14%

Huffington Post

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I began to recall" is a grammatically correct phrase used to introduce a memory or recollection. While not as frequent as simpler alternatives like "I started to remember", it carries a slightly more reflective tone suitable for narrative and descriptive writing. Ludwig AI indicates its correctness and usability. The phrase's usage spans diverse contexts, from news and media to personal narratives, making it a versatile tool for setting the stage for recounting past experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I started to remember

Simple substitution of "began to recall" with a more direct synonym.

I began to remember

A more straightforward phrasing using the verb "remember" instead of "recall".

I started to reminisce

Replaces "recall" with "reminisce", indicating a more wistful or reflective form of remembering.

I started thinking back to

Highlights a conscious effort to return to past events or experiences in thought.

I found myself remembering

Emphasizes the involuntary nature of the remembering process.

Memories started flooding back

Uses a more figurative expression to describe the onset of remembering.

I began to piece together

Suggests a gradual process of assembling fragmented memories.

I began to reflect on

Focuses on reflecting or contemplating past events, rather than simply recalling them.

I suddenly remembered

Highlights the sudden and unexpected nature of the memory.

I began to conjure up

Implies a more deliberate attempt to bring memories to mind.

FAQs

How can I use "I began to recall" in a sentence?

You can use "I began to recall" to introduce a memory or recollection, such as: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, "I began to recall" the games we used to play as children."

What are some alternatives to "I began to recall"?

Alternatives include "I started to remember", "I began to remember", or "I found myself remembering". These alternatives offer similar meanings while varying in emphasis.

Is "I began to recall" formal or informal?

"I began to recall" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal writing, although it might be perceived as slightly more literary than "I started to remember".

What is the difference between "I began to recall" and "I seem to recall"?

"I began to recall" suggests a process of memory starting, while "I seem to recall" implies a degree of uncertainty or vagueness about the memory.