failed to recall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to recall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when someone is unable to remember or bring to mind specific information or details. Example: "During the meeting, she failed to recall the exact figures from the last quarter's report."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

29 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

This time Mr. Bush knew more than Mr. Musharraf's name, which he had failed to recall in an embarrassing television interview two years ago.

The New York Times

Greene came in with a friend, began quoting a poem by Robert Browning, "The Lost Mistress," and failed to recall the last line, which Ms. Hazzard helpfully supplied.

The New York Times - Books

She says [translation from Johnson's Russia List]: The terrible death of Litvinenko brought the KGB acronym back to life, and only a lazy person failed to recall that Russia is ruled today by emigrants from the KGB.

The Economist

Some judges acknowledged this in court, saying they believed not that officers had lied, but rather that they had failed to recall an event accurately, perhaps because of its brevity, a limited vantage point or the subsequent passage of time.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

31 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

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

The New York Times

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

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to recall" in formal writing, ensure the context clearly indicates whether the failure to remember was due to a simple memory lapse or a more significant issue like a cognitive impairment or intentional omission.

Common error

Avoid using "failed to recall" when the intended meaning is that someone deliberately chose not to remember or disclose information. In such cases, "refused to recall" or "declined to remember" would be more accurate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to recall" functions primarily as a verb phrase indicating an inability or lack of success in remembering something. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in describing memory lapses or failures in retrieving information.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to recall" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe the inability to remember something. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is considered correct. It appears most frequently in News & Media and Science contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When writing, it's important to differentiate between a genuine memory lapse and a deliberate refusal to remember, opting for alternatives like "refused to recall" when appropriate. By understanding these nuances, you can effectively and accurately use "failed to recall" in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

could not remember

This phrase is a direct synonym, indicating a simple lack of ability to remember.

was unable to remember

Similar to 'could not remember' but emphasizes the inability to recall.

did not recollect

A more formal synonym, implying a conscious effort to bring something back to mind.

could not bring to mind

This suggests an effort to consciously retrieve a memory that ultimately fails.

had no recollection of

Indicates a complete absence of memory regarding a particular event or detail.

forgot to mention

Focuses on the act of forgetting to include something in a statement or account.

omitted to mention

More formal than "forgot to mention", suggesting a possibly deliberate oversight.

blanked on

A more informal way of saying someone suddenly couldn't remember something.

slipped my mind

An idiomatic expression indicating a temporary lapse in memory.

escaped my memory

Suggests the memory was once present but is now inaccessible.

FAQs

What's the difference between "failed to recall" and "failed to remember"?

While similar, "failed to recall" often implies a more active attempt to retrieve information from memory than "failed to remember". You might say someone "failed to recall" a specific detail during questioning, whereas they simply "failed to remember" to buy milk.

What can I say instead of "failed to recall"?

You can use alternatives like "could not remember", "did not recollect", or "had no recollection of" depending on the context.

How to use "failed to recall" in a sentence?

You can use "failed to recall" to describe someone's inability to remember specific information. For example: "The witness failed to recall the make and model of the car involved in the accident."

Is "unable to recall" a good substitute for "failed to recall"?

Yes, "unable to recall" is a suitable and often interchangeable alternative to "failed to recall", indicating a lack of ability to bring something to mind.