I recall

USAGE SUMMARY

'I recall' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about remembering something. For example: "I recall when we first met; it was a moment I will never forget."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In wintertime, as I recall,.

The New Yorker

"Lovers," I recall I said,.

The New Yorker

"Jared," I recall her saying.

The New York Times - Health

I recall phoning an academic.

The New York Times

I recall the number precisely.

The New York Times - Magazine

A: "Not that I recall".

The New York Times

I recall no such thing.

The New York Times

But not that I recall.

The New Yorker

Not that I recall.

The Guardian

I recall the time.

The Guardian - Books

I recall our conversation.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I recall" to introduce a memory or recollection, especially when adding a personal touch to your writing or speech. For example, "I recall the day we met as if it were yesterday."

Common error

Avoid using "I recall" when you mean "I called back". "Recall" refers to remembering something, while "call back" means to return a phone call. Incorrect: "I recall him yesterday." Correct: "I called him back yesterday."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I recall" functions as a declarative statement introducing a memory or recollection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and commonly used. Examples in Ludwig show its use in various contexts, from personal anecdotes to factual statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I recall" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to introduce a memory or recollection, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its prevalence in News & Media demonstrates its suitability for both formal and informal contexts. While alternatives like "I remember" exist, "I recall" offers a slightly more deliberate tone. Remembering this and using it in appropriate scenarios will definitely enrich and add value to your writings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I remember

This alternative is a more direct and common synonym for "I recall".

I recollect

A more formal synonym for "I recall", suitable for more elevated language.

As I remember

Adding "As" makes the statement slightly more tentative, suggesting the memory might not be perfectly accurate.

I do remember

Adding "do" emphasizes the act of remembering, perhaps in response to a challenge or suggestion that the speaker might have forgotten.

If I remember correctly

This phrase explicitly indicates that the speaker is relying on their memory and might be uncertain.

To the best of my recollection

This alternative is more formal and emphasizes the speaker's effort to remember accurately.

From what I can remember

This suggests a limitation in the speaker's memory, implying they might not recall all the details.

I seem to remember

This indicates a degree of uncertainty or vagueness in the memory.

It comes to mind that

This phrase highlights the spontaneous nature of the memory arising.

My memory tells me

This alternative personifies memory, giving it agency in providing the information.

FAQs

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

Use "I recall" to introduce a memory or something you remember. For example, "I recall that the meeting was scheduled for Tuesday."

What's a more formal alternative to "I recall"?

A more formal alternative is "I recollect", which carries a similar meaning but is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

What can I say instead of "I recall" to show uncertainty?

To express uncertainty, you could use phrases like "if I remember correctly" or "I seem to remember", which indicate that your memory might not be perfectly accurate.

Is "I recall" the same as "I remember"?

While "I recall" and "I remember" are very similar, "I recall" can sometimes imply a more deliberate effort to bring something to mind, whereas "I remember" is more general.