I fail to remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"I fail to remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you cannot recall something. For example: "I fail to remember what time our meeting is scheduled for."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

What I fail to remember, she counters with a sparkle, is how modern the Victorians were.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

I noticed this while I was in a Lyft in Washington, D.C., but I failed to remember it until TC's sister publication, Engadget, reported it the other day.

TechCrunch

When I signed myself up to do this, I failed to remember the fact that school starts promptly at 8 01 AM, meaning I would have to wake up before 8 AM something I have not done in a very long time.

Vice

It's just too bad it failed to remember that the fix for bad journalism generally includes more journalism.

The New York Times

If there's a group of people sitting round, and I think about it afterwards, I always fail to remember that I was there, if you see what I mean".

The Guardian - Books

"I think one of the things that people who are not gay sometimes fail to remember is that we learned all the same things that they did," he says.

The New Yorker

And, of course, they often fail to remember things that did happen.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The name was silly, sure, but who could fail to remember it?

The New Yorker

"When we see in everyday life things that are petty, ordinary and banal, we generally fail to remember them..

The New York Times - Magazine

They may frequently fail to remember appointments, details of recent conversations or even what they just said.

The New York Times - Health

But people often fail to remember eating spices when asked what foods might have sickened them, so problems related to spices could be seriously underreported, officials said.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I fail to remember" when you want to express a more emphatic or slightly formal tone than "I don't remember". It can convey a sense of surprise or mild frustration at your inability to recall something.

Common error

Avoid using "I fail to remember" in very casual conversations. It can sound stilted or unnatural in informal settings. Opt for simpler phrases like "I don't remember" or "I've forgotten" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I fail to remember" serves as a declarative statement expressing the speaker's inability to recall a specific piece of information. It functions as a way to acknowledge a memory lapse. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I fail to remember" is a grammatically sound and usable expression for indicating an inability to recall something. Ludwig AI validates its correctness. While not as common as simpler alternatives like "I don't remember", it offers a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. It appears in diverse sources, like The New Yorker and TechCrunch, suggesting its applicability across contexts. When writing, consider your audience and choose the phrase that best matches your desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I don't remember

Most straightforward and common way to express lack of memory.

I'm unable to remember

Slightly more formal version of "I can't remember".

I can't recall

More informal alternative using "can't" for contraction.

I've forgotten

Emphasizes the state of having lost the memory.

I'm having trouble recalling

Highlights the effort involved in trying to remember.

I'm at a loss to remember

More emphatic way of expressing inability to recall.

It escapes my memory

More figurative and indirect way of saying one doesn't remember.

My memory fails me

Attributes the lack of memory to a failing of one's memory.

I'm drawing a blank

Informal idiom indicating a complete inability to remember.

I cannot bring to mind

A formal expression to denote an inability to recall.

FAQs

What does "I fail to remember" mean?

It means that you are unable to recall something; you cannot bring the information to your conscious mind.

Is "I fail to remember" formal or informal?

It leans towards the formal side but can be used in neutral contexts. Simpler phrases like "I don't remember" are more common in informal speech.

What are some alternatives to "I fail to remember"?

You can use alternatives like "I can't recall", "I don't remember", or "I've forgotten" depending on the context.

How can I use "I fail to remember" in a sentence?

Example: "I fail to remember where I put my keys."