an old memory

USAGE SUMMARY

'an old memory' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a memory that is fondly remembered for a long period of time, often associated with nostalgia. For example, 'My grandmother often shared old memories with me of the time she spent in her childhood home'.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Apart from a nagging implausibility — how could every question link up with an old memory?

The New Yorker

She smiled ruefully as she talked; his drunkenness and threats were an old memory.

The New York Times

Now Scientific American reports on the use of light to "activate an old memory" and control behavior (in mice, so far).

The New York Times

Alan Slomson Leeds Former National Extension College colleague Hilary Perraton's letter about the genesis of the Open University revives an old memory.

The Guardian

A chuckle at an old memory, heightened perhaps by the awareness that in a few hours his home-care worker will be coming in.

The New York Times

The recent uprising started with an old memory: the police last week arrested a human rights lawyer representing the relatives of more than 1,000 detainees, mostly from eastern Libya, who were massacred in 1996 at a Tripoli prison.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

"The idea that an older memory can be strengthened is a novel and exciting finding," said Jim McGaugh, a neuroscientist at the University of California, Irvine, who was not involved in the research.

The New York Times - Health

Most analysts attribute this to a shift in demand away from an older memory chip standard Synchronous DRAM to DDR, which now is the dominant type of memory chip.

Forbes

The CA3 and CA1 activation during remote memory recall is consistent with the interpretation that an older memory might require increased pattern completion and/or relearning after longer time intervals.

Neurobiology of Learning and Memory

She was curating this moment, as if it were already an old, old memory.

The New Yorker

As we approached the area, a very old memory came back to me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, use "an old memory" to evoke nostalgia or a sense of time passed, rather than for purely factual recall.

Common error

Avoid using "an old memory" in formal or academic writing where precise historical reference is required. Instead, provide specific details and sources.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an old memory" functions primarily as a noun phrase, acting as the subject, object, or complement in a sentence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's a correct and commonly used expression. For example, "An old memory returned: from the mid- to the late nineties, I was at college in Aligarh."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an old memory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. Its primary function is to recall a past event, often with a tinge of nostalgia. While versatile, it's most commonly found in News & Media sources. When writing, remember to leverage this phrase to evoke emotion and reflection, while avoiding overuse in purely factual or formal contexts. Considering related alternatives can add nuance and precision to your writing. Remembering these insights will enhance your ability to use and appreciate the evocative power of "an old memory".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a cherished memory

Focuses on the emotional value and fondness associated with the memory.

a distant recollection

Highlights the remoteness in time and the potential haziness of the memory.

a nostalgic remembrance

Emphasizes the sentimental longing for the past associated with the memory.

a faded memory

Suggests the memory has lost some clarity or vividness over time.

a forgotten experience

Implies the memory was once lost but perhaps now resurfaces.

a childhood memory

Specifies that the memory originates from the time of one's childhood.

a bygone era

Refers to an entire period of the past, rather than a specific memory.

a historical event in mind

Refers to a significant event of the past, rather than a personal memory.

something from the past

General reference to past events, less specific than a memory.

past experiences

Focuses on various events that have occurred.

FAQs

How can I use "an old memory" in a sentence?

You can use "an old memory" to refer to a past event or experience, as in "The photograph triggered an old memory of our summer vacation."

What's the difference between "an old memory" and "a recent memory"?

"An old memory" refers to something that happened long ago, while "a recent memory" refers to something that happened in the near past.

What can I say instead of "an old memory"?

You can use alternatives like "a cherished memory", "a distant recollection", or "a nostalgic remembrance depending on the context".

Is "an old memory" a formal or informal phrase?

"An old memory" is generally considered a neutral phrase, suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although more specific language might be preferred in academic writing.