call something to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "call something to mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that something has been remembered or recalled. Example: "The smell of fresh cookies always calls my childhood memories to mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

To call something a pleasure is not only to report a state of mind but also to endorse it to others.

SEP

Dr. Burke has done research on "tots," those tip-of-the-tongue times when you know something but can't quite call it to mind.

The New York Times

Something else they call to mind is Dr. Frankenstein's creature, stitched together from so many parts — an ear here, a nose there.

The New Yorker

The death this week of Joan Marie Johnson Faust, sad as it is, does call to mind something good and enduring: the "girl groups" of the 1950s and 1960s.

Huffington Post

If that description isn't enough to inspire you to pack up your laptop for open pastures, there are the photos, which call to mind something out of "The Andy Griffith Show".

Huffington Post

Often, right-wingers respond to left-wing objections to their views by invoking the image of the "marketplace of ideas" – something supposed to call to mind an ideal forum in which all views can be debated, freely and equally, on their own merits, regardless of how "offensive" or "unfashionable" they are.

Vice

Call anything to mind?

Independent

The story of friendship among struggling 40-something men calls to mind Mike Binder's "Mind of the Married Man" for HBO, but this sort of show has generally been the province of women: "Lipstick Jungle," "Sex and the City," "Kate & Allie," "Golden Girls".

The New York Times

They called to mind something Jah-I kept saying as we made our precarious climb, something that seemed to sum up getting back to basics in a tent in the Carribean bush, easily the highlight of two unforgettable weeks.

The Guardian - Travel

Mr. Kuspa's piece called to mind something Mr. Reich had said in his talk on Tuesday morning.

The New York Times - Arts

For Blomberg, the franchise's success called to mind something Steinbrenner told him during their initial meeting 37 years ago.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "call something to mind" when you want to gently suggest a connection or association rather than making a direct statement.

Common error

Avoid using "call something to mind" as a direct command. It's better suited for descriptive or suggestive contexts, not for telling someone what to remember.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "call something to mind" functions as an idiomatic expression. It serves to describe the act of remembering or being reminded of something, often triggered by an external stimulus. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

Science

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News & Media

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "call something to mind" is a grammatically sound idiomatic expression used to describe the act of remembering or being reminded of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While it has a neutral register, making it suitable for various contexts, including news and general writing, it's important to use it in descriptive or suggestive ways, rather than direct commands. Alternatives like "bring to mind" or "remind of" offer similar meanings with slight variations in nuance. Because there are no examples found, the frequency of use is missing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bring to mind

Uses 'bring' instead of 'call', offering a slightly different nuance but conveying a similar meaning of evoking a memory or thought.

remind of

Focuses on the aspect of reminding, which is a core component of the original phrase's meaning.

evoke the memory of

More explicitly states the action of evoking a memory, providing a more formal tone.

conjure up

Emphasizes the act of summoning something into the mind, often with a sense of magic or wonder.

put one in mind of

A more formal and somewhat archaic alternative that still conveys the sense of reminding.

make one think of

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct expression of causing someone to think of something.

stir up memories of

Highlights the emotional aspect of stirring up memories, often from the past.

awaken associations with

Focuses on the associations that are awakened in the mind, rather than the direct act of remembering.

elicit thoughts of

A more formal way of saying that something causes thoughts of something else to arise.

trigger recollection of

Implies a specific trigger that causes the recollection, adding a sense of causality.

FAQs

What does "call something to mind" mean?

It means to remember or bring something to one's awareness, often unintentionally. Similar to "remind of" or "bring to mind".

How can I use "call something to mind" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe how a sight, sound, or smell evokes a memory or association. For example, "The old song called his childhood to mind."

What are some alternatives to "call something to mind"?

Alternatives include "bring to mind", "remind of", "evoke memories of", or "conjure up" depending on the context.

Is it formal or informal to say "call something to mind"?

It is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, suitable for both writing and conversation, but not overly casual.