fail to recall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fail to recall" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is unable to remember or bring to mind a certain piece of information or event. It can be used in various contexts, such as in a conversation, a report, or a formal document. Example: "Despite several attempts, I fail to recall the name of the person who hosted the event last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Sweetest Song cannot fail to recall Sade's Sweetest Taboo.

The Guardian - Music

That I fail to recall anything else he said sometimes seems like a moral failure.

The New Yorker

Maybe six or seven times I'd try but fail to recall it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Mr. Slater said he "cannot speak to why Mr. Hampton and Ms. Mata fail to recall their involvement on the Project Vote board".

The New York Times

Re "Exam-Room Rules: What's in a Name?" (Cases, Dec. 15): I cannot fail to recall the lines from the cold war thriller "Ice Station Zebra".

The New York Times

It was there, in the field, that he was at his best; he worked the students hard and long, yet only the slackers fail to recall him with feelings of respect and affection.

University of California, Berkeley

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

I have failed to recall my memories of her".

The Guardian

But Mr. Lomma failed to recall the crane at East 91st Street, Mr. Cherkasky said.

The New York Times

TELLS OF 1929 PROTEST Official of Defunct Bank Fails to Recall Meetings at Which Lendings Were Approved.

The New York Times

Up come the endearing titles and the supertidy look of digital animation that never fails to recall "Toy Story".

The New York Times

One fails to recall similar phrases used in the case of hundreds of British Jews who regularly go to serve in the Israeli reserve army.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, ensure the subject's inability to recall is clearly linked to a specific event or detail. For instance, "The witness failed to recall the color of the car."

Common error

Avoid unnecessarily complex sentence structures when using "fail to recall". Simplicity enhances clarity. Instead of "Due to the extended period that had elapsed, the individual, unfortunately, did fail to recall the specific details", write "The individual failed to recall the details due to the time elapsed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fail to recall" functions as a verb phrase indicating an inability or failure to remember something. It typically requires a subject (the one who fails to remember) and an object (what is not remembered). According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and used in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

33%

Academia

24%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "fail to recall" is a grammatically sound verb phrase used to express an inability to remember something. Ludwig AI affirms its correctness and usability in written English. It is commonly found in news, scientific, and academic contexts, indicating a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, maintain a clear and concise sentence structure to avoid ambiguity. Alternatives such as "be unable to remember" or "cannot bring to mind" can be used for stylistic variation, especially in more formal settings. It's important to note that while similar to "forget", "fail to recall" often suggests a temporary inability to access a memory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be unable to remember

Focuses on the inability to bring something to mind.

cannot bring to mind

Emphasizes the mental effort and failure to retrieve a memory.

be unable to recollect

Uses a more formal term for remembering, 'recollect'.

have no memory of

Highlights the complete absence of a memory.

be unable to summon to mind

Suggests difficulty in actively retrieving a memory.

draw a blank on

An informal expression indicating a failure to remember.

forget completely

Emphasizes the totality of forgetting.

not be able to think of

Focuses on the inability to generate a thought or memory.

be unable to dredge up

Implies a difficult or strained effort to remember.

suffer memory lapse regarding

Highlights the memory lapse in a more formal way.

FAQs

How can I use "fail to recall" in a sentence?

You can use "fail to recall" to indicate an inability to remember something, as in, "The defendant failed to recall where he was on the night of the crime". It's suitable for formal and neutral contexts.

What is a more formal way to say "fail to recall"?

More formal alternatives include "be unable to recollect" or "cannot bring to mind", which add a layer of sophistication to your writing.

Is "fail to recall" the same as "forget"?

While similar, "fail to recall" often implies a temporary inability to access a memory, whereas "forget" suggests the memory is completely lost. For example, "I forget my password" versus "I fail to recall the exact date".

What are some common mistakes when using "fail to recall"?

A common mistake is using overly complex sentences. Keep the sentence structure clear and concise to ensure the meaning isn't obscured. Also, ensure the context matches the formality of the phrase.