core memories

USAGE SUMMARY

"core memories" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It refers to the central, most important memories in a person's life that shape their identity and perception. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, the core memories of my childhood flooded back. I could still hear the laughter of my friends and see the familiar houses that held so many cherished moments."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 human-written examples

The missions to recover the core memories, experienced after locating one of the core memories: Games, Sci-Fi, Pokémon, and Hacking.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Core memories use hundreds of thousands of magnetizable ferrite cores that resemble tiny doughnuts.

Britannica

She thinks she needs to keep her gloomy co-worker's hands off Riley's core memories.

The New York Times

The winning team is later presented with glass core memories for each team member to take home.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Buzzy of Cranium Command kicked off Operation: Head Hunters to get Terry's emotions and core memories back where they belonged.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The Grand Finale, a "Spaceteam meets Keep Talking and Nobody Explodes" interactive endgame, which teams experienced after recovering all four core memories.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 human-written examples

Not shown: the 1406 storage unit containing core memory.

Columbia University

Unzipping the Voltorb case reveals the core memory orb.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This Core memory is from a vintage 1960's computer.

Stanford University

Alumni were invited to tour the center and to videotape a favorite Core memory.

Columbia University

For a brief description of the technology look at the page on Core memory.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "core memories" to emphasize the foundational role of certain memories in shaping someone's personality or worldview. For less significant memories, consider other terms like 'early memories' or 'childhood reminiscences'.

Common error

Avoid using "core memories" to describe trivial or fleeting moments. Reserve it for experiences that have genuinely shaped someone's character or had a significant impact on their life's trajectory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "core memories" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig shows its usage in contexts ranging from personal reflections to analyses of psychological impact, confirming its role in describing fundamental aspects of identity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

27%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "core memories" is a grammatically sound and relatively common expression used to denote the most influential and formative memories in a person's life. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily as a noun phrase and serves to emphasize the lasting impact of significant experiences. While versatile enough for use in neutral and informal settings, its presence in academic and scientific sources suggests it is appropriate for professional contexts as well. As highlighted, "core memories" has a central meaning of the most important memories. It's important to reserve it for experiences that have genuinely shaped someone's character or had a significant impact on their life's trajectory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

significant memories

Highlights the importance and impact of particular memories.

essential memories

Emphasizes the necessity and vital role of particular memories.

formative memories

Focuses on the impact of memories in shaping one's personality and development.

pivotal memories

Underlines the turning-point nature and significant influence of specific memories.

cherished memories

Implies a strong emotional connection and fondness for the memories.

indelible memories

Suggests memories that are impossible to forget and leave a lasting impression.

foundational memories

Highlights memories that serve as a base or cornerstone for one's identity.

defining moments

Emphasizes pivotal experiences that significantly alter the course of one's life.

life-altering memories

Highlights the capacity of certain memories to drastically change one's life trajectory.

impactful experiences

Shifts focus from the memory itself to the event's strong effect.

FAQs

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

You can use "core memories" to describe significant, formative experiences, like, "Visiting my grandmother's house are some of my "core memories" because they instilled in me a deep appreciation for family."

What are some alternatives to "core memories"?

Depending on the context, you might use "formative memories", "defining moments", or "significant memories" as alternatives to "core memories".

In psychology, is the concept of "core memories" recognized?

While the term "core memories" is popular, especially due to the movie "Inside Out", cognitive behavioral therapists refer to the more technical "schemas," or ways that you view the world, which "core memories" influence.

How do "core memories" differ from regular memories?

"Core memories" are not just any memories; they're the ones that are deeply ingrained and have a lasting impact on shaping one's personality and worldview. They tend to be more influential than "regular memories".