failed to remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "failed to remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing instances where someone did not recall or retain information as expected. Example: "Despite the numerous reminders, she failed to remember the meeting time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

In another, she failed to remember me.

The New York Times

Interviewed after his promotion to colonel, he failed to remember the man's name.

The Guardian - Books

Many people have failed to remember that Syracuse is the defending national champion.

The New York Times - Sports

It's just too bad it failed to remember that the fix for bad journalism generally includes more journalism.

The New York Times

It was not that she failed to remember that he was dead that did not happen for a moment.

The New Yorker

"Please give my regards to Aunt Nesibe and your father," I said, having failed to remember his name in time.

The New Yorker

I have never failed to remember those patients whose thanks made me feel like a real doctor.

The New York Times - Health

The chimp, which had months of training accompanied by promised food rewards, almost never failed to remember where the numbers had been.

The New York Times - Science

It lasted a few seconds but in the 40 years since it happened, I have never failed to remember its occurrence whenever I descend into the great hall.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Second, people fail to remember the past.

The Washington Post

Frequently patients remember their surgeon but fail to remember who their anesthesiologist was and his/her key role in perioperative care.

Revista Colombiana de Anestesiología

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "failed to remember", ensure the context clearly indicates what was forgotten and why it's significant. For example, "The witness failed to remember key details of the event, raising concerns about the accuracy of their testimony."

Common error

Avoid using "failed to remember" when a weaker term like "forgot" suffices. "Failed to remember" often implies a degree of responsibility or importance associated with the memory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "failed to remember" functions as a verbal phrase indicating a lack of recall or memory. It typically modifies a noun or pronoun, describing someone's inability to recollect something. As evidenced by Ludwig, this can range from forgetting a name to failing to recall critical information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Science

27%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "failed to remember" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of recall, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It carries a neutral tone and appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts. When using this phrase, consider the implication of responsibility or expectation associated with the memory. If no such implication exists, simpler alternatives like "didn't remember" or "forgot" may be more appropriate. According to Ludwig, understanding the context is key to effectively using "failed to remember".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not remember

A more direct and simple way of expressing a lack of memory.

could not recall

Highlights an inability to bring something back to mind.

was unable to remember

More formal and emphasizes the inability to remember.

forgot to recall

Emphasizes the act of forgetting before recalling could occur.

escaped my memory

Suggests that the information was once known but is now lost.

lost all memory of

Indicates a complete loss of memory regarding something.

had a memory lapse

Refers to a temporary failure to remember something.

slipped my mind

Indicates a temporary forgetting, often of something minor.

blanked on

Informal way to say someone suddenly couldn't remember something.

overlooked

Implies a failure to remember due to negligence or lack of attention.

FAQs

What's a more formal way to say "failed to remember"?

A more formal alternative to "failed to remember" is "was unable to recall". This phrasing is suitable for academic and professional contexts.

How does "failed to remember" differ from simply "forgot"?

"Failed to remember" often implies a responsibility or expectation to remember, whereas "forgot" is a more neutral term that doesn't necessarily carry the same implication.

What can I say instead of "failed to remember" in a casual context?

In a casual context, you could use phrases like "blanked on" or "slipped my mind" as alternatives to "failed to remember".

Is it ever incorrect to use "failed to remember"?

While grammatically correct, using "failed to remember" might be inappropriate if the context doesn't involve a duty or expectation to remember. In such cases, a simpler term like "didn't remember" may be more suitable.