cannot remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"cannot remember" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to express the inability to recall something or to have no memory of something. Example: "I cannot remember where I left my car keys this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I cannot remember.

The New Yorker

I cannot remember who won.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He cannot remember," I said.

The New Yorker

I cannot remember your hands".

The Guardian - Books

He cannot remember the year.

The New York Times

Vande Velde cannot remember life without cycling.

The New York Times - Sports

He cannot remember his first winner.

Independent

I cannot remember anything on this scale.

Independent

"I cannot remember French," he said.

The New York Times - Food

PREMINGER: I cannot remember dates and years.

The New Yorker

She cannot remember how many there are.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cannot remember" when you want to express a genuine lack of recollection, not as a way to avoid answering a question directly. Ensure context clarifies sincerity.

Common error

Avoid using "cannot remember" excessively in formal or academic writing; opt for more sophisticated alternatives like "do not recall" or "unable to recollect" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cannot remember" functions as a declarative statement expressing a lack of memory or inability to recall something. Ludwig shows many examples where individuals use this phrase to convey that they do not have a recollection of an event, detail, or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Encyclopedias

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cannot remember" is a common and grammatically correct way to express an inability to recall something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in tone, more formal alternatives like "do not recall" may be preferable in certain settings. To ensure clarity, use "cannot remember" when there is a genuine lack of recollection, and consider the audience and context to choose the most appropriate wording. By avoiding overuse in formal writing and opting for stronger synonyms when appropriate, you can effectively communicate your meaning. The phrase's frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian further validates its acceptability and widespread usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unable to recall

Focuses on the inability to bring something back to mind.

do not recall

A more formal way of saying one does not remember.

cannot recollect

Uses a more formal synonym for remember, emphasizing the effort to recall.

have no memory of

Highlights the complete absence of a memory.

cannot bring to mind

Emphasizes the mental effort involved in trying to remember something.

it escapes me

Indicates that something is forgotten or cannot be recalled at the moment.

I've forgotten

A simple statement that one has forgotten something.

I can't place it

Suggests an inability to identify or remember a specific detail.

my mind is blank

Indicates a complete lack of memory or thought about something.

it doesn't ring a bell

Means something is not familiar or memorable.

FAQs

How can I use "cannot remember" in a sentence?

You can use "cannot remember" to express a lack of memory about something. For instance, "I cannot remember where I put my keys" or "He cannot remember the events of that night".

What are some alternatives to "cannot remember"?

Some alternatives include "unable to recall", "do not recall", or "have no memory of", depending on the context.

Is it more formal to say "cannot remember" or "do not recall"?

"Do not recall" is generally considered more formal than "cannot remember". Use "do not recall" in professional or academic settings where a higher degree of formality is appropriate.

What's the difference between "cannot remember" and "will not remember"?

"Cannot remember" indicates an inability to recall something, while "will not remember" suggests a refusal or unwillingness to remember. The former is about a lack of memory, the latter about a conscious choice.