I recall hearing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I recall hearing" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you remember listening to something in the past. Example: "I recall hearing a fascinating story about the history of our town during the meeting last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

I recall hearing this story repeatedly.

The New Yorker

I recall hearing Mr. Booker tell us to focus on "small things".

The New York Times

"Cee Eee Oh" was among the first sounds I recall hearing at the dinner table.

The New Yorker

I recall hearing similar opinions during my own medical training, voiced by female mentors who, indeed, couldn't have it all.

The New York Times

I recall hearing about fathers calling the cops on sons and mothers throwing daughters out onto the street.

The New Yorker

"The trouble with these new people," I recall hearing again and again as a child in Sacramento, "is they think it's supposed to be easy".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

I recalled hearing that one of the biggest problems in maintaining mega-shredders is to keep them from shredding themselves.

The New Yorker

I recalled hearing my mother and others talk about their experience and impression of the women's rights movement.

Huffington Post

I recalled hearing about the above incident during a recent conversation with my good friend and former Deloitte partner, Greg Seal.

Huffington Post

Privacy is taken very seriously at all love motels, something I recalled hearing about as our Uber driver took us past a row of black garages, each leading to a private room.

Vice

I do recall hearing an anguished moan (his mother's?) as I moved to the pond's edge and reached out to him.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I recall hearing" to introduce a specific auditory memory, especially when providing anecdotal evidence or personal recollections within a narrative or discussion.

Common error

Ensure you're using "hear" (referring to the sense of hearing) and not "here" (referring to a place) when you mean to express remembering something you listened to. A sentence like 'I recall here...' doesn't make sense in this context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I recall hearing" functions as a declarative statement introducing a memory or recollection of a past auditory experience. It's used to introduce anecdotal evidence or personal recollections, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I recall hearing" is a grammatically correct and commonly used way to express a memory of something heard. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and prevalence, particularly in news and media contexts. While "recall" is slightly more formal than "remember", the phrase maintains a neutral register suitable for a wide range of situations. Related phrases, such as "I remember hearing", offer alternative ways to convey the same meaning. When using the phrase, ensure you are using 'hear' correctly and not confusing it with its homophone 'here'. The phrase effectively introduces personal anecdotes and recollections, providing a valuable tool for sharing auditory memories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I remember hearing

A direct synonym, replacing "recall" with "remember" for a more common expression.

I recollect hearing

Uses "recollect", a more formal synonym for "recall", adding a touch of sophistication.

I distinctly remember hearing

Adds emphasis with "distinctly", highlighting the clarity of the memory.

I have a memory of hearing

Rephrases the sentence structure to focus on the existence of the memory itself.

As I recall, I heard

Shifts the focus to the act of recalling, slightly changing the sentence flow.

If I remember correctly, I heard

Adds a conditional element, acknowledging potential uncertainty in the memory.

My memory tells me I heard

Personifies memory, giving it agency in the act of recollection.

It comes to mind that I heard

Introduces the memory as something that spontaneously arises in consciousness.

To the best of my recollection, I heard

Qualifies the statement with an acknowledgement of the limitations of memory.

I seem to recall hearing

Expresses a slightly weaker memory, indicating a degree of uncertainty.

FAQs

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

Use "I recall hearing" to introduce something you remember listening to. For example, "I recall hearing the news about the event on the radio".

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

You can use alternatives like "I remember hearing", "I recollect hearing", or "I have a memory of hearing" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "I recall hearing" or "I remember to hear"?

"I recall hearing" is correct. "I remember to hear" implies a planned action of listening, while "I recall hearing" refers to a past auditory memory.

What's the difference between "I recall hearing" and "I heard"?

"I heard" simply states that you received auditory information. "I recall hearing" emphasizes that you remember the act of hearing something, adding a layer of recollection to the statement.