does not recall

USAGE SUMMARY

"does not recall" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to express that someone does not remember or is not able to remember something. For example, "The witness does not recall seeing anyone else at the scene of the crime."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(Gelb does not recall the exchange).

The New Yorker

(Horne does not recall making this statement).

The New Yorker

More than that he does not recall.

The New York Times

He does not recall meeting her.

The New York Times

Judge said he does not recall the incident.

The Guardian

Stoll said he does not recall either woman.

The Washington Post

Zinni himself does not recall blocking the option.

The Washington Post

He does not recall the Obama presidency with fondness.

The Washington Post

Other times he does not recall a recent discussion.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr. Conway said he does not recall such a meeting.

The New York Times

Smith, Hatchell's attorney, said she does not recall this incident.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not recall" to present information objectively, particularly in journalistic or legal contexts, to convey a lack of memory without implying deception.

Common error

Avoid using "does not recall" in casual conversations or informal writing. Simpler alternatives like "doesn't remember" are often more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not recall" functions as a verbal expression indicating a lack of memory or inability to remember something. It is commonly used to report someone's statement about their own lack of recollection, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

18%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not recall" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a lack of memory or inability to remember something. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is widely accepted in written English. Predominantly found in News & Media, Academia, and Formal & Business contexts, it maintains a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, it's advisable to provide specific details about what is not being remembered. While "does not recall" is widely used, simpler alternatives like "doesn't remember" may be more appropriate in casual settings. Related phrases include "cannot remember" and "has no recollection of", each offering slightly different nuances. Overall, "does not recall" is a reliable way to objectively convey a lack of memory, especially in formal and professional communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not remember

A simpler, more straightforward way of expressing a lack of recall.

cannot remember

Indicates an inability to bring something to mind; a more direct synonym.

has forgotten

Directly states that something has been lost from memory.

has no recollection of

Emphasizes a complete absence of memory regarding a specific event or detail.

is unable to recollect

Similar to 'has no recollection', but uses 'recollect' to stress the effort of remembering.

cannot bring to mind

Highlights the difficulty in retrieving a specific memory.

fails to recollect

Highlights a failed attempt to remember something.

is not aware of

Suggests a lack of knowledge or consciousness about something, which can imply a lack of memory.

is vague about

Indicates an unclear or incomplete memory of something.

draws a blank on

An idiomatic expression for not being able to remember something.

FAQs

What is a more casual way to say "does not recall"?

In less formal settings, you can use phrases like "doesn't remember", "can't recall", or "has forgotten".

How can I use "does not recall" in a legal context?

In legal settings, "does not recall" is used to indicate a witness's inability to remember a specific event or detail. For example: "The witness testified that he "does not recall" the meeting."

Is "does not recall" the same as "denies"?

No, "does not recall" means someone does not remember something, while "denies" means someone is stating that something is not true. They have very different meanings.

What is the difference between "does not recall" and "refuses to answer"?

"Does not recall" indicates a genuine lack of memory, whereas "refuses to answer" implies a conscious decision not to provide information, even if the person remembers it.