My memory failed me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "My memory failed me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you could not remember something or that you made a mistake due to a lapse in memory. Example: "I thought the meeting was at 3 PM, but my memory failed me; it was actually at 2 PM."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A media-savvy former reporter who has handled the press with aplomb for years, Mr Sikorski acknowledged that "my memory failed me," and that indeed the February 2008 meeting had involved no one-on-one meeting between Mr Tusk and Mr Putin at all.

The Economist

"My memory failed me," he said.Poles seem to be taking to Ms Kopacz.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And my memory fails me.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

At least until my memory fails me.

Huffington Post

I was drunk too, so my memory fails me.

Vice

Unless my memory fails me, Stravelli isn't quite the same chanteuse she was when I first saw her.

Huffington Post

However, on either that trip or a later one -- my memory fails me -- our ferry to the island was escorted out of Woods Hole harbor by two 50-foot Coast Guard Zodiac boats, each sporting a 50mm machine gun on the bow -- as if we might be attacked in the coastal waters of Massachusetts, and by an enemy capable of being defeated by a machine gun.

Huffington Post

(Parenthetically, I cannot remember encountering a spontaneously breathing patient whose venous return was seriously affected by modest levels of CPAP, but perhaps my memory fails me).

Critical Care

The pills on that table are for the morning, and on another table are for the evening, it's because I'm on a lot of pills, unfortunately I' m on about sixteen a day… when my memory fails me I will have to write it down but so far it's good just by placing them in different rooms (P11 type 2 diabetes).

BMC Health Services Research

I'm reliably informed that Amis himself derived that episode from an evening of drinking with another novelist, the one (memory fails me) with the Scottish name and the English attitude.

The New Yorker

Ask me the color of the tile, and my memory fails.

The New York Times - Food

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "My memory failed me", be specific about what you failed to remember. This adds clarity and context to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "My memory failed me" repeatedly as a justification for inconsistencies or lack of preparation. Use it sparingly and genuinely to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "My memory failed me" functions as an apology or explanation for an inability to recall information accurately. As noted by Ludwig AI, it's a way to acknowledge a memory lapse.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "My memory failed me" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to indicate an inability to remember something accurately. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not extremely common, it appears in a variety of contexts, particularly in News & Media and Science, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, clarity and sincerity are key. Avoid overusing it, and provide specific details about what you couldn't recall to maintain credibility. Alternatives such as "I forgot" or "I couldn't recall" can also be appropriate depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I forgot

A simple and direct way of saying something was not remembered.

I couldn't recall

Focuses on the inability to bring something to mind.

It slipped my mind

Implies forgetting something unintentionally.

I had a memory lapse

Highlights a temporary failure of memory.

I don't quite remember

Expresses uncertainty about a memory.

My memory is a bit fuzzy

Suggests the memory is not clear or precise.

My recollection is hazy

Indicates a vague or unclear memory.

I misremembered

Indicates that the memory was incorrect.

I drew a blank

Indicates a sudden inability to remember something.

My memory betrayed me

Suggests the memory was unexpectedly unreliable.

FAQs

What does "My memory failed me" mean?

It means you were unable to remember something accurately or completely. It's a polite way of admitting a lapse in memory.

What's a more formal way to say "My memory failed me"?

You could say "I regret that my recollection is incomplete" or "My memory is not entirely reliable on that point" in a more formal setting.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "My memory failed me"?

It's appropriate when you genuinely can't remember something and want to acknowledge it, especially when accuracy is important. Be careful not to overuse it, as it can undermine your credibility. Consider alternatives like "I forgot" or "I couldn't recall".

Is "My memory failed me" the same as "I am lying"?

No. "My memory failed me" indicates an unintentional error in recollection, while lying implies a deliberate attempt to deceive. However, overuse of the phrase can sometimes raise suspicion.