did not remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "did not remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a lack of recollection or memory about a specific event or detail. Example: "I did not remember the meeting was scheduled for yesterday until I received the reminder."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

He said he did not remember.

The New York Times

(Mr. Wolfson said he did not remember).

The New York Times

He did not remember any cholesterol tests.

The New York Times - Health

He did not remember that, he said.

The New York Times

He did not remember expressing it definitively.

The New Yorker

Wolff did not remember exactly which names.

The New York Times - Sports

The plumber did not remember her instructions.

The New Yorker

I did not remember the author's name.

The New York Times - Books

Dave Magadan did not remember Kirk Radomski.

The New York Times - Sports

He said he did not remember her.

The Guardian

Kraft said he did not remember Walsh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "did not remember" to clearly state a lack of memory about a specific event, detail, or fact. Ensure the context provides clarity on what is not being remembered.

Common error

Avoid using "did not remember" when the intended meaning is a current state of forgetting. Instead, use "do not remember" for present tense and "had not remembered" for past perfect to maintain correct tense consistency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "did not remember" functions as a negative declarative statement expressing a lack of memory or recollection. It's used to convey that someone was unable to recall something at a particular time, as seen in Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "did not remember" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a past lack of memory or recollection. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and widespread usability. While it's suitable for various contexts, from casual conversations to news reports and scientific papers, alternatives such as "could not recall" or "did not recall" might be preferable in more formal settings. When using the phrase, ensure correct tense consistency. The phrase's primary function is to inform or explain a lack of memory, and its register is generally neutral.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not recall

More formal and direct synonym.

could not recall

Formal alternative, emphasizing an inability to bring something back to mind.

failed to recollect

Highlights a lack of success in remembering.

had no memory of

Focuses on the absence of a memory.

was unable to remember

Expresses the inability to remember in a more elaborate way.

could not bring to mind

Emphasizes the mental effort required for remembering.

had forgotten

States the action of forgetting simply.

was unaware of

Focuses on a lack of knowledge or consciousness.

did not recognize

Focuses on a lack of recognition, which might be visual or otherwise.

was oblivious to

Indicates a lack of awareness or attention.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "did not remember"?

More formal alternatives include phrases like "did not recall", "could not recollect", or "was unable to remember", depending on the context.

Is "did not remember" grammatically correct?

Yes, "did not remember" is grammatically correct. It is the past tense form of "not remember" and is used to describe a past lack of memory. Ludwig confirms that the expression is correct and usable.

How can I use "did not remember" in a sentence?

You can use "did not remember" to indicate someone's failure to recall something from the past. For example: "He "did not remember" where he parked his car."

What's the difference between "did not remember" and "forgot"?

While both imply a lack of memory, "forgot" is a more direct and common term, whereas ""did not remember"" can sometimes imply a more specific inability to recall details, suggesting a process rather than a simple state of forgetting.