I was recalling

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was recalling" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you were in the process of remembering or thinking about something from the past. Example: "I was recalling the time we spent together at the beach last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Meanwhile, I was recalling the prayer my father, captain of his high school football team, used to say when he was asked to bless the meal.

The New York Times

Just as I was recalling to those around me my experiences in Geographe Bay, a passer-by weighed in with the observation that one must be sure never to drink and dive.

Independent

"I was recalling as I watched the final product that everything that has happened since 2002 and 2003 and the invasion and occupation of Iraq," had been predicted by everyone "including our own security services".

The Guardian

It wasn't as if I was recalling a painful time.

Huffington Post

"Everybody in the audience loved that I was recalling some of those numbers.

Huffington Post

I was recalling those days when America was still the envy of the world.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"Was I surprised they even knew who I was?" recalls Szifrón.

Los Angeles Times

But none of that is why I'm recalling our early spat.

The New York Times

I am recalling from data released by the Association of American Railroads.

Forbes

"I have been recalled back to Middlesbrough," Gibson tweeted .

BBC

"I was broke," recalls Rushdie.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using synonyms like "I was remembering" or "I was reminiscing" to add nuance to your writing and avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "I was recalling" when you actually mean you were predicting or anticipating something. "Recalling" refers to a past memory, not a future event.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was recalling" functions as a verb phrase in the past continuous tense. It describes an ongoing action of remembering something. Ludwig examples show it used in narrative contexts to introduce past experiences or thoughts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

23%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was recalling" is a grammatically sound and usable expression employed to depict the act of remembering or thinking about something in the past. Ludwig examples show it commonly used in news, science, and business contexts. While it's often interchangeable with simpler alternatives such as "I was remembering", this expression suggests a somewhat deliberate act of bringing something back to mind. Therefore, be mindful of the subtle nuances and select alternatives depending on the intended communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was remembering

Uses a different verb, 'remembering', to convey the same idea of bringing something to mind.

I was reminiscing

Implies a more nostalgic or sentimental form of remembering.

I was thinking back to

Uses a phrasal verb to express the act of reflecting on a past event.

I found myself recalling

Adds a sense of involuntariness to the act of remembering.

My memory drifted back to

Suggests a passive and gentle return to a past memory.

I reflected on

Focuses on the thoughtful consideration of a past event.

I was calling to mind

Uses a more formal expression for bringing something to conscious awareness.

I was reliving

Suggests a more vivid and immersive experience of remembering.

It came back to me that

Emphasizes the sudden or unexpected nature of the memory.

I had a sudden recollection of

Implies a clear and distinct memory that comes to mind quickly.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "I was recalling"?

You can use alternatives like "I was remembering", "I was reminiscing", or "I was thinking back to" depending on the specific context.

How do I use "I was recalling" in a sentence?

Use "I was recalling" to describe the act of remembering something from the past. For example, "I was recalling the summer we spent in Italy."

Is "I was recalling" formal or informal?

"I was recalling" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, depending on the context you can select something more formal, like "I was calling to mind".

What's the difference between "I was recalling" and "I remembered"?

"I was recalling" implies a process of actively bringing a memory to mind, while "I remembered" simply states that a memory came to you. The first one means you did something to make it happen, the second, it just happened.