I can just remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I can just remember" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a vague or faint recollection of something from the past. Example: "I can just remember the time we went to the beach when I was a child."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I can just remember looking up in the darkness and seeing a trainer.

The Guardian

"And I can just remember him smiling and having a good time".

The Guardian

I can just remember QPR shooting on goal twice and it was bang, goal.

The Guardian - Sport

"I can just remember people there telling us that there had been a terrible disaster at Ibrox.

The Guardian - Sport

"Now, if I can just remember where they are," he said, squinting into the woods and breezing along in his funky footwear.

The New York Times

"I can just remember slamming on my horn and swearing at the top of my voice while shouting GET OUT OF THE WAY!" she writes.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Rupert Soames can just remember his grandfather, Sir Winston Churchill.

The Guardian - Business

He can just remember a tree, but not a car, because he went blind in Florida at the age of six.

The Guardian - Music

The robots have limited memory so that they can just remember recently visited areas, and avoid them during exploration.

Complex Adaptive Systems Modeling

Now, if the show can just remember how to make the serious stuff entertaining again, we might have some hope down the home stretch.

Los Angeles Times

If we can just remember to listen, we can proceed without criticism and blame, and maintain an open sense of well-wishing, respect, and kind regard -- important characteristics of true compassion.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I can just remember" to introduce a detail that is not entirely clear or vivid in your memory. This can add a touch of humility or tentativeness to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "I can just remember" when you are entirely sure of something. This phrase implies a degree of uncertainty or vagueness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I can just remember" primarily functions as a statement of recollection, indicating a somewhat vague or incomplete memory. It conveys that the speaker has a faint or partial recall of something, rather than a clear and vivid memory. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

16%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I can just remember" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a faint or partial recollection. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It functions to introduce information that the speaker recalls with some degree of uncertainty. While suitable for most contexts, more formal alternatives such as "I vaguely recall" or "I seem to remember" may be preferable in certain situations. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it strikes a neutral tone, making it widely applicable in various forms of communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I faintly recall

Indicates a weak or indistinct memory.

I vaguely remember

Suggests an imprecise or unclear memory.

I barely remember

Implies remembering with difficulty or a lack of detail.

My memory is hazy about

Expresses that the memory is unclear or indistinct.

I have a dim recollection of

Highlights the weakness or obscurity of the memory.

I recall indistinctly

Focuses on the lack of clarity in the memory.

I have a fleeting memory of

Emphasizes the briefness and transience of the memory.

I seem to remember

Expresses uncertainty or doubt about the memory.

If I remember correctly

Used to preface a statement based on memory, acknowledging potential inaccuracies.

As far as I can recall

Indicates that the statement is based on the extent of one's memory.

FAQs

How can I use "I can just remember" in a sentence?

Use "I can just remember" to express a faint or not-so-clear recollection of something. For example, "I can just remember the smell of grandma's cookies".

What phrases are similar to "I can just remember"?

Alternatives to "I can just remember" include phrases such as "I vaguely remember", "I faintly recall", or "I barely remember".

Is it appropriate to use "I can just remember" in formal writing?

While "I can just remember" is grammatically correct, it leans towards informal usage. In formal writing, consider using phrases like "I seem to recall" or "as far as I can recollect" to maintain a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "I can just remember" and "I remember"?

"I remember" indicates a clear and definite recollection. "I can just remember", on the other hand, suggests a less vivid or certain memory. For instance, "I remember the day we met" implies a sharp memory, while "I can just remember what he was wearing" suggests a hazier recollection.