To my recollection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "To my recollection" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you want to express that something is based on your memory or what you remember. Example: "To my recollection, we discussed this issue last month." Alternative expressions include "As far as I remember" and "To the best of my memory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

To my recollection, Kristen had never expressed interest in owning or wearing provocative clothing, even in a romantic setting.

The New York Times

To my recollection, she continued to write for such publications at least until 1938, when Hitler and Mussolini signed a pact.

The New York Times

"To my recollection, Senator Lieberman has never reprimanded Imus for some of the ridiculous things he says," said Dan Bartlett, a spokesman for Gov. George W. Bush, the Republican nominee.

The New York Times

To my recollection I was there maybe four times to see Captain Kangaroo, guitarist Theodore Bikel, Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado and the Sleeping Beauty ballet.

Huffington Post

To my recollection, I had never met a prep school graduate prior to Freshman Day in 1985, and I hadn't heard of Andover or Exeter.

Huffington Post

To my recollection, I was interviewed by DOJ investigators at least once at my office at the Brooklyn Brewery and a second time in Washington.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Anticipating hours of fun, delighting in the fact that we were moving on from picture books, I cracked the series open with my daughter this summer, to be bemused, confused, and not a little disappointed by how they failed to live up to my recollections.

The Guardian - Books

I also have a similar number of published columns and a couple of memoirs to refer to if my recollection gets patchy.

TechCrunch

As such, I had to search the internet to refresh my recollection of valuable lessons I might've missed from Apple or Disney.

Huffington Post

Supply your own adjectives … Indulging briefly in more What If reverie, compare the impact of Intel's wrong turn to a better one: How would the world look like if, at the end of 1996, Gil Amelio hadn't returned Apple back to Steve Jobs? (My recollection of the transaction's official wording could be faulty).

The Guardian - Tech

To my best recollection, it read: May your life preach louder than your lips.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "To my recollection" when you want to indicate that your statement is based on your memory, but you're not entirely certain about the details. This adds a touch of humility and acknowledges the potential for error.

Common error

Avoid using "To my recollection" when you have concrete evidence or documentation to support your statement. This phrase is best used when relying on memory alone, not when presenting factual data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "To my recollection" functions as a disclaimer or hedge, indicating that the following statement is based on the speaker's or writer's memory, and therefore may not be entirely accurate. As Ludwig AI states, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The provided examples support this function, showcasing its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "To my recollection" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to preface a statement based on one's memory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves as a hedge, indicating potential inaccuracies and is considered neutral in register, making it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media. While reliable, remember to not overstate your certainty when relying on this phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

As I recall

This alternative is a shorter and more direct way to express the same idea.

If I remember correctly

This phrase adds a slight emphasis on the possibility of error in the memory.

From my memory

This option highlights the origin of the information as coming directly from one's memory.

According to my memory

This alternative emphasizes the memory as the source of information.

To the best of my knowledge

This phrase broadens the scope to include general awareness, not just memory.

As far as I can remember

This option clearly indicates the speaker is relying on their memory and acknowledging its potential fallibility.

If my memory serves me right

This alternative is a more idiomatic way of expressing reliance on memory.

From what I recall

This is a slightly less formal variation of the original phrase.

In my recollection

This alternative is a shortened version of the original phrase, omitting "to my".

If I am not mistaken

This phrase expresses a similar sentiment but places more emphasis on the possibility of being wrong.

FAQs

What does "To my recollection" mean?

The phrase "To my recollection" means according to my memory or as far as I remember. It indicates that a statement is based on one's personal memory, which may not be entirely accurate.

When is it appropriate to use "To my recollection" in writing?

Use "To my recollection" when you are expressing something based on your memory but want to acknowledge that your memory might not be perfect. It's appropriate in both formal and informal contexts where precise accuracy isn't critical.

Are there any synonyms for "To my recollection"?

Yes, several phrases share a similar meaning. You can use alternatives such as "as I recall", "if I remember correctly", or "to the best of my knowledge".

How formal is the phrase "To my recollection"?

The phrase "To my recollection" is generally considered neutral in formality. It's suitable for most writing situations, including business correspondence, news articles, and personal essays.