consigned to memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "consigned to memory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that has been committed to memory or remembered, often implying a sense of permanence or importance. Example: "The poem was so beautiful that it was consigned to memory, never to be forgotten."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The common opinion is that rhapsodes were exclusively reciters of the compositions of others, which they consigned to memory.

Britannica

With the first weekend of the post-season now consigned to memory it's hard to think of a more action-packed weekend.

Independent

If Dhoni's batting has undergone a noticeable metamorphosis – the pyrotechnics that lit up his first century, a whirlwind 148 against Pakistan in 2005, have been consigned to memory – his character too has changed.

Independent

The devastation, now consigned to memory save for the odd patch of rose-tinted soil, occurred in a single day.

Vice

Indeed, by the time the Straw Poll had been consigned to memory, it loomed as an event that was more likely to kneecap a candidacy than to elevate one.

Huffington Post

Walking around the neighborhood, the traces of Soho past have mostly been consigned to memory, but it's not only a building or a facade that looms before us, it's the recollection of art and artists and exhibitions.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For the current fifth years at Whitehill, this incident is consigned to folk memory, if recalled at all.

The Guardian

The racial theories promoted by atheists in the past have been consigned to the memory hole – and today's most influential atheists would no more endorse racist biology than they would be seen following the guidance of an astrologer.

The Guardian

It's Monday so it has to be Windsor, except it will be run in the afternoon and not the evening, which the racecourse is famous for – those long balmy summer evenings now consigned to the memory banks.

The Guardian - Sport

When she goes, that era is formally committed to memory, consigned to the past, and there opens up a terrible vacancy.

The Guardian - Opinion

This doesn't necessarily guarantee longevity, but the association with Blumenthal certainly put Little Chef - a brand which had been consigned to most people's memories as the place for a foetid fried egg on a motorway stop-over - back on the food lover's map.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "consigned to memory" when you want to convey that something is not just remembered, but has been intentionally or inevitably placed in the realm of the past and remembrance, often with a sense of finality or historical context.

Common error

Avoid using "consigned to memory" in casual conversation or informal writing. Its somewhat formal tone can sound out of place. Opt for simpler phrases like "I remember it" or "It's in the past" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "consigned to memory" functions as a passive construction indicating that something has been relegated to the realm of memory. Ludwig AI suggests that this often implies a sense of permanence or historical distance, reflecting the state of being remembered and placed in the past.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Encyclopedias

12%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "consigned to memory" is a grammatically correct phrase that denotes something being relegated to remembrance, often with a sense of finality or historical perspective. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, its relatively low frequency suggests it's best suited for more formal or reflective contexts, such as historical accounts or news analysis. Alternative phrases like "committed to memory" or "relegated to the past" can provide similar meanings depending on the desired nuance. While not wrong in informal settings, it can sound somewhat out of place compared to the alternative "I remember it".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

committed to memory

Implies a deliberate act of memorization, making it more active than "consigned to memory".

etched in memory

Suggests a lasting and vivid impression, emphasizing the strength of the memory.

relegated to the past

Focuses on the element of time and the act of placing something in the past.

passed into oblivion

Emphasizes complete forgetting and disappearance from memory.

faded from memory

Suggests a gradual loss of clarity and detail over time.

receded into the background

Implies that something is still remembered, but less prominently.

become a distant memory

Emphasizes the temporal distance and potential weakening of the memory.

fallen into obscurity

Highlights the loss of recognition and fame, rather than simple forgetting.

banished from consciousness

Indicates a deliberate effort to suppress or forget something.

sunk into oblivion

Focuses on the element of total disappearance and being completely forgotten.

FAQs

What does "consigned to memory" mean?

It means something has been committed to memory or relegated to the past, often implying a sense of finality or historical distance. It suggests something is remembered but no longer actively influencing the present.

How can I use "consigned to memory" in a sentence?

Example: "The details of the treaty were quickly "committed to memory", yet its implications lingered for decades."

What's the difference between "consigned to memory" and "committed to memory"?

"Committed to memory" emphasizes the act of memorizing, while "consigned to memory" focuses on the state of being remembered and placed in the past. "Committed to memory" suggests intention; consigned does not necessarily imply it.

What are some alternatives to "consigned to memory"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "etched in memory", "relegated to the past", or "become a distant memory".