conjure memories

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "conjure memories" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe a situation that evokes memories from the past. For example, "Whenever I smell freshly baked bread, it conjures memories of my grandmother's kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Smell is animal and basic and the right scent can conjure memories faster than conscious thought.

The Guardian

Candy seems to conjure memories of times before bank collapses and government bailouts.

The New York Times

Should they make it, it will conjure memories of the 1988 Calgary Games, when against the odds Jamaica qualified.

Independent

Other Arab bronzes with inscriptions in Arabic and Latin conjure memories of places where East and West met.

The New York Times - Arts

The latest United States national team did not conjure memories of its predecessors in its opening exhibition here Saturday night.

The New York Times - Sports

They had wanted to start their defense in style; instead, they played the kind of game that could only conjure memories of things they would rather forget.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

His pace conjured memories of his final round of the 2010 United States Open at Pebble Beach.

The New York Times - Sports

The blur again conjures memories of Degas drawing pastel ballet scenes.

The New York Times - Arts

The crack trapeze team conjured memories of big-top delights of my youth.

The New York Times

And it has conjured memories of some of the ugliest chapters in American history.

The Washington Post

The Gregorian calendar itself seemed cruelly sarcastic, the words "Summer Begins" conjuring memories of Junes past.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "conjure memories" when you want to emphasize the almost magical or effortless way in which something evokes past experiences.

Common error

While "remember" simply means to recall something, "conjure memories" implies that something specific triggered those memories. Avoid using "conjure memories" if the act of remembering wasn't prompted by an external stimulus.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conjure memories" functions as a verb phrase where "conjure" acts as a transitive verb taking "memories" as its direct object. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English, highlighting its effectiveness in describing how something evokes past experiences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

16%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conjure memories" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that describes the evocation of past recollections, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It's commonly found in neutral contexts like news and media, and academia. While alternatives like "evoke memories" or "bring back memories" exist, "conjure memories" specifically emphasizes the almost magical or effortless way in which something triggers those past experiences. When using this phrase, remember that it implies a specific stimulus prompted the recollection, distinguishing it from simply "remembering" something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke memories

Similar in meaning, but slightly more formal and emphasizes the act of bringing memories to the forefront.

bring back memories

More direct and conversational, focusing on the return of memories.

rekindle memories

Implies a revival of fading or dormant memories, adding a sense of warmth and renewed connection.

call up memories

Emphasizes the act of actively retrieving memories from one's mind.

stir up memories

Suggests a more emotional or turbulent evocation of memories, potentially bringing up strong feelings.

trigger memories

Focuses on the external stimuli that cause memories to surface, often unexpectedly.

awaken memories

Suggests a gentle and gradual emergence of memories from a state of dormancy.

elicit memories

More formal, implying that memories are drawn out or extracted through a specific process or interaction.

conjure up images of the past

Expands the focus to visual recollections, adding a descriptive element to the evocation of memories.

transport one back in time

Emphasizes the immersive and temporal aspect of remembering, suggesting a vivid reliving of past events.

FAQs

How can I use "conjure memories" in a sentence?

You can use "conjure memories" to describe how a specific stimulus evokes past recollections. For example, "The scent of lavender always "conjures memories" of my grandmother's garden."

What are some alternatives to "conjure memories"?

Alternatives include "evoke memories", "bring back memories", or "rekindle memories", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it correct to say "conjure up memories"?

Yes, while "conjure memories" is perfectly acceptable, "conjure up memories" is also grammatically correct and conveys a similar meaning, emphasizing the active retrieval of memories.

What's the difference between "conjure memories" and "remember"?

"Remember" is a general term for recalling something, while "conjure memories" implies that something specific prompted the act of remembering. Therefore, "conjure memories" suggests a triggered recollection.