evoke the memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

"evoke the memory of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to bring about a memory associated with something. For example, "The smell of the ocean stirred up the memories of summer vacations, evoking the memory of childhood joys."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

The Vologda church doesn't just evoke the memory of Ivan the Terrible; it is, in a sense, Ivan the Terrible.

The New Yorker

"If they evoke the memory of a garden they can give the same feeling of freshness," she added.

The New York Times - Food

The Irish Times went so far as to evoke the memory of WB Yeats in its unnerving editorial "Was it for this" two weeks ago.

The Guardian - Opinion

Half-overgrown cuddly toys and half-beasties that have just crawled out from some eerie underworld, Von Bonin's sculptures evoke the memory of a long-buried dream.

The Guardian - Arts

The Bank will evoke the memory of the inventor James Watt and his Birmingham business partner, Matthew Boulton on the new note.

The Guardian - Business

Now she'll have to suffer through protracted trials that continue to evoke the memory of her son's last moments of life.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

"All these accounts evoke the memories of some of the worst episodes of earlier human rights violations on the continent, including in South Sudan itself," wrote investigators.

Vice

Through it all, Kennedy evoked the memory of what had happened the year before in Dallas.

The New York Times

Only the gap between his teeth evoked the memory of Francisco Hernandez Fernandez.

The New Yorker

During the trial, prosecutors repeatedly evoked the memory of the dead agent, eliciting testimony on his brutal torture and death.

The New York Times

For some the Concorde disaster evoked the memory of the destruction of an earlier legendary trans-Atlantic vessel.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "evoke the memory of" when you want to express that something subtly or indirectly brings a particular memory to someone's mind. For example, a specific scent might "evoke the memory of" a childhood home.

Common error

Avoid using "evoke the memory of" to describe something physically resembling something else. "Evoke" implies a mental or emotional connection, not a visual similarity. Instead of saying 'The painting evoked the memory of the house', consider 'The painting resembled the house'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "evoke the memory of" functions as a verb phrase. It describes the action of bringing a particular memory to mind, often through an external stimulus. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "evoke the memory of" is a grammatically correct and usable verb phrase that describes how something triggers a specific memory. As Ludwig AI points out, it’s suitable for expressing the act of bringing a past experience to mind, often through external stimuli. It is most frequently found in News & Media, Arts, and Opinion contexts and can be replaced with alternatives like "call to mind" or "bring back memories of" for similar effect. When using this phrase, ensure it's appropriate for scenarios where a subtle or indirect trigger prompts a particular recollection, avoiding its misuse with concrete, visually similar objects.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

call to mind

Focuses on the act of bringing something to conscious awareness.

bring back memories of

Highlights the return of past experiences or events to one's thoughts.

remind one of

Emphasizes the act of causing someone to remember something.

conjure up images of

Implies a more vivid and imaginative recollection.

stir up recollections of

Suggests a deeper, more emotional arousal of past events.

awaken memories of

Focuses on the act of stirring memories.

rekindle remembrance of

Emphasizes the revival of something that was fading.

generate associations with

Highlights the connection between something and a related memory.

inspire thoughts of

Suggests that something triggers a series of related thoughts and memories.

resurrect images of

Suggests that something triggers images and memories.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "evoke the memory of" in a sentence?

Use "evoke the memory of" when describing how a sensory experience, place, or event brings a particular past experience or person to mind. For example: "The old photograph "evoked the memory of" her childhood friend".

What are some alternatives to "evoke the memory of"?

You can use alternatives like "call to mind", "bring back memories of", or "remind one of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "evoke memories of" instead of "evoke the memory of"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "evoke the memory of" typically refers to a specific memory, while "evoke memories of" refers to multiple or general memories. The choice depends on whether you're referencing a particular event or a broader set of experiences.

How does "evoke the memory of" differ from simply "remember"?

"Remember" is a direct act of recalling something. "Evoke the memory of" suggests that something else triggered that memory, making it a more indirect and often emotional or sensory experience.