called to mind

USAGE SUMMARY

"called to mind" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to cause someone to remember something or to bring something into one's thoughts. Example: The old photograph called to mind memories of my childhood summers spent at the beach with my family.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

It called to mind Siberia.

The New Yorker

Later he created a lacework percussive pattern that fleetingly called to mind an African thumb piano.

The New York Times - Arts

Additionally, the taste of the fork's metal tines called to mind a Dorothea Lange photograph.

The New York Times - Food

On second reading, it called to mind Chekhov's classic story of false hope, "The Kiss".

The New York Times - Books

(They also called to mind a similarly tone-deaf video from June called "We Are Traders").

The New York Times

All of which called to mind the Grandmaster Flash of Overheated Mayoral Rhetoric, Rudolph Giuliani.

The New York Times

The fluctuations of "Blues for Alice" called to mind the progress of a stumbling pedestrian.

The New York Times - Arts

It called to mind a gubernatorial updating of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on first?" routine.

The New York Times

It called to mind David Foster Wallace's article "Federer as Religious Experience".

The New York Times

Her stagy yet momentous delivery called to mind the ceremonial pomp of a televised awards show.

The New York Times

The colonial-era photographs and wooden telephone called to mind Graham Greene.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance clarity by specifying what "called to mind" what. For example, instead of "The scene called to mind something," be specific: "The desolate landscape called to mind images of Siberia."

Common error

Avoid using "called to mind" when you simply mean 'remembered' or 'recalled' without the element of association or evocation. The phrase implies a connection between two distinct things, not just the act of remembering something directly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "called to mind" functions as a phrasal verb, specifically a transitive verb requiring an object. It describes the act of something causing a memory or idea to be remembered. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Books

20%

Less common in

Forbes

1%

Reference

1%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "called to mind" is a common and grammatically sound way to express that something reminded you of something else. As Ludwig AI explains, it's a transitive phrasal verb used to evoke memories or ideas by establishing a connection between two distinct entities. It is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Arts and Books. While alternatives like "evoked" or "reminded me of" exist, "called to mind" maintains a neutral tone suitable for various writing contexts. Keep in mind that this phrase does not mean 'remembered' it means 'reminded'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

brought to mind

Replaces "called" with "brought", creating a slightly different emphasis but retaining the core meaning.

put me in mind of

An older, slightly more archaic variation of the original phrase.

evoked

Single word alternative; more concise and slightly more formal.

was reminiscent of

More formal and literary, suggesting a similarity in style or atmosphere.

recalled

A more straightforward synonym, focusing on the act of remembering.

reminded me of

More direct and personal, indicating a direct prompting of memory.

conjured up

Suggests a vivid and almost magical evocation.

made me think of

Emphasizes the cognitive process of association.

awakened memories of

More emphatic, stressing the stirring of dormant memories.

suggested

Implies a more subtle connection or association.

FAQs

How can I use "called to mind" in a sentence?

Use "called to mind" to indicate that something reminded you of something else. For example, "The music "called to mind" a summer evening."

What can I say instead of "called to mind"?

You can use alternatives like "evoked", "brought to mind", or "reminded me of" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "called to mind" and "remembered"?

"Called to mind" suggests a connection or association that prompted a memory. "Remembered" is a more direct act of recalling something without necessarily implying an external trigger. For example, "I remembered my keys" vs. "The song "called to mind" my first love".

Is "called to mind" formal or informal?

"Called to mind" is generally considered neutral in tone, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. While it might appear slightly more literary than everyday speech, it's commonly used in writing and conversation across various settings.