cast your mind back

USAGE SUMMARY

"cast your mind back" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to think back or remember something from the past. Example: As she sat in her old childhood bedroom, she cast her mind back to all the fond memories she had growing up in that house.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 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

If you cast your mind back to 2007, you will probably recall the feeling of hope and opportunity.

The Guardian - Opinion

If you cast your mind back to the summer of 2010, Britain and indeed the world were still in crisis management mode after the financial crash.

Independent

"Cast your mind back 20 years and who would have thought this was possible?" said Edward Feigenbaum, a Stanford University computer scientist and a pioneer in the field.

The New York Times

If you think he was unwise to criticise the media, then just cast your mind back over the last couple of months.

Independent

And next time you read about a limited-edition must-have, cast your mind back to Chanel Rouge Noir nail polish, which pretty much invented that concept.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using this phrase, ensure the context provides enough clues for the audience to readily recall the subject you're referencing. Otherwise, it might fall flat.

Common error

While "cast your mind back" is widely understood, it can sound slightly informal or conversational in very formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "recall", "reflect upon", or "consider" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cast your mind back" functions as an idiomatic expression used to prompt the listener or reader to remember something from the past. Ludwig AI indicates that it is a correct and commonly used phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Science

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cast your mind back" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that serves as a prompt to remember something from the past. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage. It's most frequently found in news and media contexts, suitable for neutral registers, and encourages recollection. While effective, more formal alternatives like "recall" or "reflect upon" might be preferable in academic settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cast your memory back

This is the closest synonym and shares the same structure, simply replacing "mind" with "memory".

think back

A more concise and informal way to suggest recalling a past event.

try to remember

This is a simpler and more direct way to ask someone to recall something.

call to mind

A more literary and evocative way to ask someone to remember.

bring to mind

Similar to "call to mind", but slightly more common in everyday language.

recall the past

This phrase is more formal and emphasizes the act of remembering the past.

look back on

Implies a retrospective view of past events.

reflect on

This phrase implies a deeper and more thoughtful consideration of past events.

flashback to

A more vivid and immediate way of recalling a past moment.

reminisce about

This suggests a more fond and reflective remembering of the past.

FAQs

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

You can use "cast your mind back" to prompt someone to remember a past event. For example, "Cast your mind back to the summer of 2010, when the World Cup was in South Africa".

What's a similar phrase to "cast your mind back"?

A similar phrase is "think back". Both phrases are used to encourage someone to remember something from the past.

Is "cast your mind back" suitable for formal writing?

While widely understood, "cast your mind back" can be considered somewhat informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "recall the past" or "reflect on".

How do I choose the right alternative to "cast your mind back"?

The best alternative depends on the context and desired tone. For a simpler option, use "try to remember". For a more reflective tone, use "reflect on".