a dim memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a dim memory of" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a vague or faint recollection of something from the past. You can use it when you want to convey that the memory is not very clear or vivid. For example: - "She had a dim memory of her childhood home, but the details were hazy and she couldn't remember much." - "He had a dim memory of meeting her before, but he couldn't quite place where or when." - "As he grew older, his childhood became nothing more than a dim memory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

16 human-written examples

Many CEOs have only a dim memory of spending time in such a state, at least at work.

Harvard Business Review

"That's really all that's left of class, sort of a dim memory of haves versus have-nots".

The New York Times

I have a dim memory of Stephen Fry doing something similar behind a desk on a televised charity gala, but YouTube has not refreshed - perhaps you can help?

The Guardian

Sandor Clegane, stars in the episode's most mystical and mystifying scene — especially for those of us who have only a dim memory of his travelling companion.

The New Yorker

Still, anyone with even a dim memory of the Vietnam War knows that five years into that conflict, the country was aflame in protest and counterprotest.

The New York Times

When I began work on this week's recipes, I had a dim memory of a thick shake I used to make many years ago with carrots.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Google.com -- If you have a dim memory for some line of text, you can type it in and it will take you right to the source.

The New York Times

Its SoHo satellite is, like SoHo's heyday, a dim memory; the dream of a Frank Gehry-designed palace on the East River in Lower Manhattan has gone the way of the museum's intemperate scheme to bank its fortunes on a branch in Las Vegas.

The New York Times - Arts

I do kind of have a dim memory from my teens of making a conscious decision to be a little more out there, which would imply a reaction.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The Times, somewhat ungallantly noting that bikinis have become popular among women whose "adolescent years are a dim memory," worried through the meaning of it — why the women, all fortyish, were wearing bikinis on the front page — before deciding, at last, that they were wearing them because they wanted to.

The New Yorker

Then oil prices plunged, and the stratospheric cost of a gallon of gas became a dim memory.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a dim memory of", ensure the context clarifies what the memory pertains to and why it is not vividly recalled. This adds depth and credibility to your writing.

Common error

Avoid following "a dim memory of" with overly specific details. If the memory is truly dim, providing pinpoint accuracy can sound contradictory and undermine your message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a dim memory of" functions as a noun phrase, acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It describes the state of remembering something, indicating that the memory is vague or unclear. As supported by Ludwig, the examples showcase its role in conveying uncertainty about past events or experiences.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a dim memory of" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for expressing a vague or unclear recollection. As confirmed by Ludwig, examples from reliable sources demonstrate its common usage in news and media, as well as in more personal contexts. When employing this phrase, be mindful of the potential for contradiction if followed by overly specific details. Alternatives such as "a faint recollection of" and "a vague remembrance of" can provide subtle shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a faint recollection of

Replaces "memory" with "recollection" and "dim" with "faint", both suggesting a weak or unclear recall.

a vague remembrance of

Uses "remembrance" instead of "memory" and "vague" instead of "dim", emphasizing the lack of clarity.

a hazy recollection of

Substitutes "dim" with "hazy", creating a sense of indistinctness or cloudiness in the memory.

a blurred memory of

Replaces "dim" with "blurred", visually suggesting the memory is not sharp or focused.

a fleeting memory of

Changes "dim" to "fleeting", indicating the memory is brief and quickly disappearing.

a shadowy memory of

Uses "shadowy" in place of "dim", implying a hidden or partially obscured memory.

a distant memory of

Replaces "dim" with "distant", suggesting the memory is far removed in time.

an indistinct recollection of

Combines "indistinct" with "recollection", underscoring the lack of clarity in the memory.

a fragmented memory of

Uses "fragmented" instead of "dim", implying the memory is broken into pieces or incomplete.

a superficial memory of

Changes "dim" to "superficial", suggesting that the memory lacks depth or detail.

FAQs

How can I use "a dim memory of" in a sentence?

You can use "a dim memory of" to describe a faint or unclear recollection. For example, "I have "a dim memory of" my first day of school, but the details are fuzzy."

What are some alternatives to saying "a dim memory of"?

Alternatives include "a faint recollection of", "a vague remembrance of", or "a hazy recollection of", all suggesting an unclear memory.

Is it correct to say "a dim memory about" instead of "a dim memory of"?

No, the correct preposition to use with "a dim memory" is "of". Saying "a dim memory about" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "a dim memory of" and "a vivid memory of"?

"A vivid memory of" implies a clear and detailed recollection, while "a dim memory of" suggests a faint, unclear, or incomplete recollection.