cast your mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cast your mind" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to ask someone to think back to a specific event, memory, or idea. For example, "Cast your mind back to the summer of 2019; do you remember what you were doing on that July 4th weekend?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Now cast your mind back to the last time you bought bananas from the supermarket.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But try to cast your mind back to the last time you were really ill.

The Guardian - Opinion

After all, cast your mind back to 1995 and the release of beguiling Generation X romance Before Sunrise.

Independent

To understand the significance of this issue, cast your mind back to the height of the housing bubble.

The New York Times

He urged us lullingly into the world of dream: "Cast your mind back to the dusky evenings of childhood.

The Guardian

Watch here If you were ever a student, cast your mind back to your own student house.

The Guardian - Music

All that's left for you to do is to cast your mind forward to the summer ahead.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

If this all sounds oddly familiar, cast your minds back to season one in Eyrie.

Independent

Have you been casting your mind back to the high-school experience?

The New Yorker

It's worth casting your mind back to 2013, days after the first Edward Snowden documents were published.

TechCrunch

I suffer the sort of urges that lead me to close your eyes and smell the leaves of a plant, just to get a shot at casting your mind into wilderness.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cast your mind" when you want to gently encourage someone to remember something specific from the past, especially to set a context for further discussion.

Common error

Avoid shifting verb tenses erratically after using "cast your mind". Maintain consistency with the past tense or the tense relevant to the past event you're referencing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast your mind" functions as an idiomatic expression used to prompt someone to recall or remember a specific event, time, or concept. It serves as an imperative, guiding the listener or reader to direct their thoughts to the past. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast your mind" is a correct and widely used idiomatic phrase that encourages someone to recall a past event or idea. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically sound and serves to establish a shared context for further discussion. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academic sources, it maintains a neutral to formal tone. When writing, remember to use it to set a scene or provide context and be consistent with verb tenses. Alternatives such as "think back" or "recall" can be used depending on the level of formality required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast your thoughts back

Similar to the original phrase, but slightly more verbose.

think back

A more direct and less idiomatic way to ask someone to remember something.

remember when

A direct and simple way to prompt a memory.

recall

A more formal synonym for remembering.

recollect

Similar to 'recall' but can imply a more deliberate effort to remember.

bring to mind

Emphasizes the spontaneous appearance of a memory.

call to mind

Similar to "bring to mind", but slightly more formal.

look back on

Suggests a reflective consideration of past events.

reflect upon

A more contemplative way of asking someone to remember.

hark back to

Implies a return to a previous time or subject.

FAQs

How can I use "cast your mind" in a sentence?

You can use "cast your mind" to invite someone to recall a past event, as in "Cast your mind back to the 1980s; what were the popular trends then?"

What's a more formal alternative to "cast your mind"?

More formal alternatives include "recall" or "recollect", which are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

How does "cast your mind" differ from "think back"?

"Cast your mind" is a more idiomatic and literary way of saying "think back". Both prompt memory, but "cast your mind" adds a layer of gentle invitation.

When is it appropriate to use "cast your mind"?

It's appropriate to use "cast your mind" when setting a scene or providing context by prompting someone to remember a past event or situation. It's especially useful when the specific details of that memory are relevant to the current conversation or topic.