can you remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"can you remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when asking someone to recall something that happened in the past. For example: "Can you remember what we talked about yesterday?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Can you remember that?

The New Yorker

Can you remember anything here?

The New York Times

Can you remember the accident?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Can you remember any favourites?

The Guardian - Sport

Can you remember any of them?

The New York Times - Arts

"How can you remember all that?

The New York Times - Sports

Can you remember life without a cellphone?

The Guardian

Can you remember what you were doing?

The Guardian

Can you remember who said what?

The New Yorker

Can you remember ever hearing it?

The Washington Post

Can you remember any of the conversation?

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "can you remember" when you want to know if someone has a specific memory or knowledge of a past event or fact.

Common error

Avoid using "can you remember" when you actually want to ask someone to remind you of something. "Remember" means to recall something from your own memory, while "remind" means to cause someone else to remember.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "can you remember" functions as an interrogative clause used to inquire about someone's ability to recall specific information, events, or experiences. Ludwig AI indicates the expression is grammatically correct and common. Examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from personal experiences to factual knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "can you remember" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to inquire about someone's ability to recall information or events from the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and versatile across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both informal and formal settings, primarily appearing in News & Media and Academic sources. When using this phrase, ensure you're asking about recall, not prompting someone to remind you of something. For more formal situations, consider alternatives like "do you recall". Its widespread use and clear meaning make it a valuable part of everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do you recall

Replaces "remember" with the more formal "recall".

do you recollect

Uses "recollect", another formal synonym for "remember".

can you think back to

Emphasizes the act of mentally returning to a past event.

can you remember back to

Adds "back to" to emphasize remembering a past time.

are you able to recall

Adds "are you able" to emphasize the ability to remember.

can you call to mind

Similar to "bring to mind", focusing on the act of summoning a memory.

can you bring to mind

Uses "bring to mind" to focus on the mental process of remembering.

do you have any recollection of

Phrases the question as whether the person has any memory of something.

does it ring a bell

Uses an idiomatic expression to inquire if something is familiar.

does this sound familiar

Asks if something seems known or recognizable.

FAQs

How can I use "can you remember" in a sentence?

Use "can you remember" to inquire if someone recalls a specific event, detail, or piece of information from the past. For example, "Can you remember the name of the restaurant we went to last week?"

What's a more formal alternative to "can you remember"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "do you recall" or "do you recollect". These options are suitable for professional or academic settings.

Is it correct to say "can you remind" instead of "can you remember"?

No, "can you remind" is different from "can you remember". "Remember" means to recall something from your own memory. "Remind" means to cause someone else to remember something. A correct use of remind would be: "Can you remind me to buy milk?"

What's the difference between "can you remember" and "do you remember"?

While similar, "can you remember" implies an inquiry about the ability to recall something, whereas "do you remember" is a more direct question about whether someone has a memory of something. The difference is very subtle. You can use them interchangeably in most contexts.