cascade of memories

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cascade of memories" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a flood of memories, when recollecting past experiences. For example, "He experienced a cascade of memories when he visited the old school building for the first time in 30 years."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But something about seeing and smelling those old yellowed pages unleashed a cascade of memories.

The New York Times - Books

Election night brought a cascade of memories to Taylor Rogers, who is 82 and still lives in Memphis, where he grew up.

The New York Times

IN THE French classic "Remembrance of Things Past", Proust's main character describes how a small bite of a madeleine cake dipped in linden tea unleashes a cascade of memories from his childhood.

The Economist

Lavender, first encountered in his father's aftershave, and then used as a home cure for migraines, is the madeleine — Aciman's debt to Proust is deep and freely acknowledged — that opens up a cascade of memories.

The New York Times - Books

The process they were trying to replicate happens naturally all the time some stimulus triggers a cascade of memories and associations.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Here, we report two complementary synthetic genetic counters in Escherichia coli that can count up to three induction events: the first, a riboregulated transcriptional cascade, and the second, a recombinase-based cascade of memory units.

Science Magazine

The novel soon moves from delirium to clarity, as minute details — a blood-stained shirt, a blue cup for sale in a grocery store — begin to trigger cascades of memories.

The New York Times - Books

Just as the taste of a cookie and tea can start a cascade of childhood memories, as in Proust, so a recalled bit of history homework can bring to mind a math problem — or a new dessert — from that same night.

The New York Times - Health

The letting go of the frozen emotions and the stilled frames of memories cascading across my mind had somehow found a way to allow my heart to free itself.

Huffington Post

A cascade of a linear FIR filter with memory and a nonlinear memory-free adaptive filter.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

In one interesting experiment published last month, Brazilian scientists found that after sedentary elderly rats ran for a mere five minutes or so several days a week for five weeks, a cascade of biochemical processes ignited in the memory center of their brains, culminating in increased production of BDNF molecules there.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cascade of memories" to vividly describe a sudden, overwhelming rush of recollections, often triggered by a specific stimulus or event. It's particularly effective when conveying a sense of being swept away by the past.

Common error

While evocative, "cascade of memories" can sound overly dramatic in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral phrases like "recollection of past events" or "remembering earlier experiences" for a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cascade of memories" functions as a noun phrase that describes a sudden, abundant, and often overwhelming flow of recollections. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is a correct and usable expression. It often serves as the object or complement in a sentence, providing a vivid image of remembrance.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academic

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "cascade of memories" is a vivid expression used to describe a sudden and abundant rush of recollections. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and usable, often employed to convey a sense of being overwhelmed by the past. While its usage is relatively rare, it appears most frequently in news and media contexts, where its descriptive power adds color to narratives. Alternative phrases like "deluge of memories" or "flood of memories" offer similar connotations. When writing, be mindful of the potential for sounding overly dramatic in formal contexts, and consider more neutral alternatives if necessary. In essence, "cascade of memories" is a powerful tool for writers aiming to capture the feeling of being swept away by a torrent of past experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deluge of memories

Replaces "cascade" with "deluge", emphasizing the overwhelming quantity of memories.

avalanche of memories

Replaces "cascade" with "avalanche", highlighting the sudden and forceful nature of the memories.

flood of memories

Replaces "cascade" with "flood", suggesting a large, sweeping rush of memories.

stream of memories

Replaces "cascade" with "stream", portraying a continuous flow of memories.

torrent of memories

Replaces "cascade" with "torrent", indicating a forceful and rapid flow of memories.

series of memories

Focuses on the sequential aspect of remembering, rather than the intensity.

chain of memories

Emphasizes the interconnectedness of the memories.

network of memories

Highlights the interconnected and complex nature of memories.

range of memories

This suggests a variety of memories, less about the quantity or suddenness.

cascade of stories

Shifts the focus from memories to the narratives associated with them.

FAQs

How can I use "cascade of memories" in a sentence?

You can use "cascade of memories" to describe a sudden, overwhelming rush of recollections. For example, "The old photograph triggered a "cascade of memories" from her childhood".

What phrases are similar to "cascade of memories"?

Similar phrases include "deluge of memories", "flood of memories", or "stream of memories", all conveying a large and sudden influx of recollections.

Is "cascade of memories" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "cascade of memories" might be considered too evocative for formal writing. More neutral alternatives like "recollection of past events" or "remembering earlier experiences" may be more suitable.

What triggers a "cascade of memories"?

A "cascade of memories" can be triggered by various stimuli, such as sights, sounds, smells, or even specific dates or events, that act as cues to unlock a flood of past experiences.