I recall having

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "I recall having" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you remember something that you did or experienced in the past. Example sentence: I recall having visited that park when I was a child.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

I recall having little real fear of being wounded or killed — that fear came later on.

The New Yorker

"I recall having a number of discussions with him on the subject of his candidature.

Independent

He said: "I recall having a conversation with Anne-Marie about engaging in a threesome.

The Guardian

Our grilled spareribs were the best I recall having eaten, glistening, meaty and succulent.

The New York Times - Travel

Beyond Ms. Chalfant's powerful performance, I recall having felt bludgeoned by the end of the play, too exhausted to move.

The New York Times

I recall having the same thought when I was a teenager but it was freighted with foreboding.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

And then I recalled having read about Weiner in the "Alumni Notes" section of the Accidental Herald.

The New Yorker

I recalled having asked Taub once whether his rich customers tended to be jerks.

The New Yorker

Franklin Roosevelt, I recalled, had been president during the first 11 years of my life.

Huffington Post

But I do recall having a pretty good time.

The New York Times

I cannot recall having previously started a blogpost by reporting a speech to the Irish parliament.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I recall having" when you want to express a memory or past experience with a degree of certainty. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "I recall having" to describe something that is currently happening. This phrase is strictly for past events or experiences. For current situations, use 'I recall' or 'I remember'.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "I recall having" is to introduce a statement about a past memory or experience. It functions as a declarative phrase that sets the stage for sharing something remembered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

3%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I recall having" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to introduce a memory or past experience. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable. While it can be used in both formal and informal settings, it often appears in neutral contexts such as news and media. Related phrases include "I remember having" and "I recollect having". When using this phrase, ensure you're referring to a past event, and avoid using it in present contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I remember having

Replaces 'recall' with 'remember', a more common synonym, maintaining the same meaning.

I do recall having

Adds emphasis to the act of remembering.

I recollect having

Substitutes 'recall' with 'recollect', adding a slightly more formal tone.

As I recall having

Adds a framing element, emphasizing that the statement is based on one's recollection.

I distinctly recall having

Emphasizes the clarity and vividness of the memory.

I can recall having

Indicates the ability to remember something, highlighting the capacity of memory.

I seem to recall having

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or vagueness to the memory.

If I recall correctly having

Highlights the possibility of imperfect recall and invites correction.

My recollection is that I had

Restructures the sentence to emphasize the act of recollection itself.

To the best of my recollection, I had

Qualifies the statement, acknowledging the limitations of memory.

FAQs

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

Use "I recall having" to express a memory of a past event or experience. For example, "I recall having a wonderful time at the beach last summer".

What's the difference between "I recall having" and "I remember having"?

While similar, "I recall having" and "I remember having" are almost interchangeable. "Recall" can sometimes imply a more conscious effort to bring something to mind, but in most contexts, they function the same way. Consider alternatives like "I recollect having" for a slightly more formal tone.

What can I say instead of "I recall having"?

You can use alternatives like "I remember having", "I seem to recall having", or "As I recall having" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to say "I recalled having" instead of "I recall having"?

Yes, "I recalled having" is grammatically correct. It simply puts the recalling action further in the past. "I recall having" refers to something you remember now, while "I recalled having" refers to something you remembered at a past point in time.