a distant recollection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a distant recollection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a memory that is vague or not clearly remembered, often from a long time ago. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, I was struck by a distant recollection of my childhood adventures there."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

All this is somewhat similar the composition — albeit, a landscape — described in "Skin," Dahl's most striking work about art, which was first published, in the pages of The New Yorker, in 1952: He checked, and looked back; and now, suddenly, there came to him a slight uneasiness, a movement of the memory, a distant recollection of something, somewhere, he had seen before.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

They added that Booth's Darren is a "very distant recollection" while Dawson has "made the part his own in such a big way that we've decided to wipe the other one from history".

Wikipedia

In a sense, children of immigrant parents always have to fictionalize their parents' stories, to construct them from shreds of knowledge and distant recollection.

The New York Times - Books

Yahaira, a 15-year-old Dominican, chants: Distant recollections of a daffodil at midnight she knows she ain't got no business in the street but she makes her own heat to fend off the cold fronts.

The New York Times

Buried within it is the massacre at the Sabra and Shatila refugee camps of West Beirut, in 1982, but much of the movie is composed of dreams and distant recollections, as Folman — who was serving in the Israel Defense Forces at the time — questions his former colleagues and slowly feels his way toward the horror.

The New Yorker

Far more often, though, O'Brien's prose is her own and firmly under control, an apt instrument for the precise, poetic recollection of a distant world.

The New York Times - Books

The Sabbath, Jewish or Christian, is a distant memory for many Americans, the recollection of a quaintly tranquil day when stores were closed, streets were quiet and festive dinners were had.

The New York Times

A distant foghorn blows.

The New Yorker

A distant siren cried.

The New Yorker

They finished a distant third.

The New York Times

This is a distant prospect.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a distant recollection" when you want to convey that a memory is not easily or clearly recalled due to the passage of time or other factors affecting memory.

Common error

Avoid using "a distant recollection" excessively in highly formal or technical writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound less precise than other alternatives like "historical analysis" or "past consideration", especially in scientific or academic papers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a distant recollection" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to a memory that is not recent or clearly defined. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

6.666666666666667%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6.666666666666667%

Encyclopedias

3.3333333333333335%

Reference

3.3333333333333335%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a distant recollection" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe a memory that is vague or remote in time. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides examples showcasing its use in various contexts, primarily in news and media. While it's relatively rare, it's a useful way to express uncertainty or lack of clarity about a past event. Consider alternatives like "a vague memory" or "a faint memory" for similar meanings, and avoid overuse in highly formal contexts where more precise language might be preferred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a vague memory

Emphasizes the lack of clarity or detail in the memory.

a faint memory

Highlights the weakness or indistinctness of the memory.

a dim remembrance

Focuses on the obscurity and fading nature of the memory.

a remote memory

Stresses the temporal distance or the infrequency of recall.

a hazy recollection

Implies that the memory is unclear and dreamlike.

an indistinct memory

Highlights the lack of clear outlines or details.

a blurred memory

Suggests that the memory lacks sharpness and definition.

a far-off memory

Emphasizes the separation in time from the present.

an elusive memory

Indicates that the memory is hard to grasp or bring to mind.

a childhood reminiscence

Specifically refers to a memory from one's early years.

FAQs

How can I use "a distant recollection" in a sentence?

You can use "a distant recollection" to refer to something you remember vaguely from the past, such as, "I had "a distant recollection" of visiting that place as a child".

What's the difference between "a distant recollection" and "a distant memory"?

"A distant recollection" and "a distant memory" are very similar. "Recollection" might imply a more deliberate attempt to remember, whereas "memory" is a more general term.

What can I say instead of "a distant recollection"?

You can use alternatives like "a vague memory", "a faint memory", or "a dim remembrance" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a distant recollection" formal or informal?

"A distant recollection" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is appropriate for most writing contexts, but more casual conversation might favor simpler terms like "a vague memory".