could not remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "could not remember" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is unable to recall a specific piece of information or a past event. Example: "During the meeting, she realized she could not remember the details of the project we discussed last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

She could not remember.

The New Yorker

He could not remember.

The New York Times - Magazine

He could not remember exactly.

The New York Times

The woman could not remember.

The New York Times

agent — he could not remember which one.

The New York Times

Each time, he could not remember why.

The New York Times - Sports

She could not remember what it said.

The New York Times - Science

She could not remember the exact date.

The New York Times

He could not remember the doctor's name.

The New York Times

At first he could not remember.

The New Yorker

And more that he could not remember.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "could not remember", ensure the context clearly indicates what the subject is unable to recall. For instance, specify the event, detail, or name that is forgotten to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "could not remember" without providing sufficient context. Readers might struggle to understand what exactly is forgotten, leading to confusion. Always specify what information is missing from memory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "could not remember" functions as a negative cognitive verb phrase, indicating a lack of recall. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a grammatically sound way to express an inability to remember something, according to its analysis of numerous real-world examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

37%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "could not remember" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express an inability to recall information. As verified by Ludwig AI and its analysis of real-world examples from news, scientific publications, and other sources, it serves to convey a lack of memory about events, details, or facts. While generally neutral in register, it has formal alternatives like "was unable to recall" that might be more fitting in academic or professional settings. When writing "could not remember", ensure there is sufficient context to what is forgotten in order to maximize clarity. Furthermore, it is important to note that less formal expression like "forgot" is a good alternative in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

couldn't recall

Uses a contraction and a synonym for "remember", maintaining the same meaning.

could not recollect

Synonym for remember, indicating a formal expression.

was unable to recall

Replaces "could not" with "was unable to", offering a more formal tone.

failed to remember

Emphasizes the lack of remembering as a failure, slightly stronger in tone.

did not remember

A simpler and more direct alternative, suitable for informal contexts.

could not bring to mind

Adds a layer of imagery, suggesting the information wasn't accessible in one's thoughts.

was unable to bring to mind

Combines the formality of "was unable to" with the imagery of "bring to mind".

could not call to mind

This alternative suggests the information could not be actively retrieved from memory.

had no recollection of

Uses a more formal noun, "recollection", to express the lack of memory.

had difficulty remembering

Indicates a struggle or challenge in the act of remembering, rather than a complete inability.

FAQs

What are some alternative ways to express "could not remember"?

You can use alternatives like "couldn't recall", "was unable to remember", or "did not remember" depending on the context.

Is "could not remember" formal or informal?

"Could not remember" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, more formal alternatives like "was unable to recall" might be preferable in academic or professional settings.

How to use "could not remember" in a sentence?

You can use "could not remember" to indicate someone's inability to recall a specific detail or event. For example: "She could not remember where she had parked her car" or "He could not remember the name of the restaurant".

What is the difference between "could not remember" and "forgot"?

"Forgot" is a more concise and informal way of saying "could not remember". While both express a lack of memory, "forgot" is often used in casual conversation, while "could not remember" can be used in more formal contexts when greater emphasis is needed.