certain memories

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certain memories" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to specific memories that are not explicitly named but are understood in context. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, certain memories flooded back, reminding me of my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

Their taste keeps certain memories alive.

The New York Times - Magazine

But certain memories can't be wished away.

The Guardian - Music

His renaissance also allows him to entertain certain memories.

The New York Times

Certain beauty is no match for certain memories.

The New York Times - Books

"Certain memories are crystal clear," Banister said, "and that was one of them".

The New York Times - Sports

Squatting in a field listening to Underworld brings back certain memories, too.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

But his eyes welled up when the questions struck a certain memory, and his confident coach's voice paused occasionally to gather strength.

The New York Times - Sports

This, combined with reordering of the transactions, allows up to 128× reduction in the memory access time of certain memory-intensive benchmarks implemented in an FPGA.

Microprocessors and Microsystems

For complexity reasons to be discussed below and for fostering a hardware implementation, the series in Equation 5 is truncated to a certain memory depth and nonlinear order.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

A few years ago, however, neuroscientist Paul Frankland of the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, Canada, noticed that some of the animals in his experiment actually did worse on certain memory tasks when their neuron birth rates had been ramped up.

Science Magazine

Additionally, when the SOC design is operated in a system, soft errors induced by alpha-particle radiation can adversely force certain memory cells or storage elements to change their states.

System-on-Chip Test Architectures Nanometer Design for Testability

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "certain memories" when you want to convey a sense of specificity without explicitly detailing the memories, allowing for a more nuanced or suggestive tone.

Common error

Avoid using "certain memories" when the context is too broad or undefined. Without a clear connection to specific events or experiences, the phrase can sound vague and weaken your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certain memories" functions as a noun phrase, where "certain" acts as a determiner specifying a subset of memories. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically sound and appropriate for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

26%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certain memories" is a grammatically correct and frequently used phrase to refer to specific, often unnamed, past events or experiences. As Ludwig AI points out, the phrase is usable in many contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media sources, while it maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for a variety of writing styles. While versatile, be cautious of overuse in overly vague contexts. Using related phrases like "specific recollections" or "vivid memories" can add precision or emphasis where needed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

specific recollections

Emphasizes the clarity and detail of the memories.

particular reminiscences

Highlights the individual and distinct nature of the memories.

vivid memories

Stresses the clarity and sensory impact of the memories.

select memories

Implies a conscious choice or filtering of memories being considered.

distinct memories

Focuses on the unique and easily identifiable quality of the memories.

cherished memories

Indicates the sentimental value and positive emotional association with the memories.

personal memories

Highlights the subjective and individual nature of the memories.

indelible memories

Emphasizes the lasting and unforgettable impact of the memories.

treasured recollections

Expresses a high degree of value and affection for the memories.

significant memories

Focuses on the importance and impact that the memories had.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "certain memories" in a sentence?

Use "certain memories" when you want to allude to specific past events or experiences without explicitly naming them, relying on the reader's understanding of the context. For example, "Returning to my childhood home, "certain memories" came flooding back".

What are some alternatives to "certain memories"?

You can use alternatives like "specific recollections", "particular reminiscences", or "vivid memories" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "certain memories" and "specific memories"?

"Certain memories" implies the memories are known within a context but not explicitly named, while "specific memories" often suggests that the memories are clearly defined or will be elaborated upon.

When is it inappropriate to use "certain memories"?

It's best to avoid using "certain memories" when the context is too vague or lacks a clear connection to particular events. In such cases, it might be more effective to use a more descriptive phrase or to provide more detail about the memories in question.