feels like memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "feels like memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a sensation or experience that evokes a sense of nostalgia or familiarity, often in a poetic or reflective context. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, the scent of blooming flowers feels like memory, transporting me back to my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It feels like memory.

The Guardian - Film

It feels like memory, like bearing witness.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The images feel like memories, caught in a realm between dreams and wakefulness.With their impressionistic brushstrokes, inventive colours and exotic subjects, these paintings invite comparisons with Paul Gauguin, who similarly fled Europe's stuffiness for an island idyll.

The Economist

When you're on stage, it doesn't feel like memory, it feels like the present.

The Guardian

Dreams, they feel like memories when I dream of you Time won't stay, it'll stretch itself out from a minute to days And I'd like to think that we don't dream to wipe it off 'Cos I've been here.

Vice

"It's individual pictures, and it feels like a memory.

The New York Times - Magazine

"But also I feel like I woke up after I had children, and that girl you were when you were 20 feels like a memory of yourself".

The Guardian

I have what feels like a memory way at the back of my brain of what dance and theatre and opera can be.

The Guardian - Music

There is the iconic Spectator cover [Stuyvesant's school paper] which feels like a memory.

Huffington Post

Already, that election feels like a distant memory from a different era.

The Guardian - Opinion

The World Cup feels like a distant memory, but the Real-Barca rivalry is more alive than ever, on and off the field.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "feels like memory" with sensory details (smells, sounds, sights) to enhance the evocative power of your writing and create a stronger connection with the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "feels like memory" in situations where you are simply recalling a fact or event without any particular emotional or sensory connection. Instead, use phrases like "I remember" or "I recall" for straightforward memory recall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "feels like memory" functions as a subjective descriptor, indicating that a current sensation or experience is reminiscent of a past memory. Ludwig indicates its use in describing something that evokes nostalgia or familiarity.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "feels like memory" serves as a subjective descriptor, conveying a sensation or experience that resonates with past memories. Ludwig confirms that it's a grammatically correct and usable phrase, frequently appearing in News & Media sources, and less so in formal contexts. While alternatives like "evokes a memory" or "reminiscent of the past" exist, "feels like memory" maintains a unique descriptive power that connects present sensations with past recollections, often aiming for a poetic or reflective tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as if reliving the past

Highlights the act of experiencing a past event again.

is a flashback

Directly compares the feeling to a sudden, vivid memory.

evokes a memory

Focuses on the act of bringing a memory to mind, rather than the feeling itself.

brings back memories

Emphasizes the return of memories, a slightly more active construction.

like a forgotten dream

Compares the sensation to a fading, unreal memory.

reminiscent of the past

Highlights the similarity to past events or times, using a more formal tone.

conjures up memories

Implies a magical or evocative quality to the memory recall.

stirring up old memories

Suggests a deliberate act of awakening memories from the past.

echoes of the past

Suggests a lingering presence of past events, more metaphorical.

has a nostalgic quality

Focuses on the nostalgic feeling associated with the memory, not the direct sensation.

FAQs

How can I use "feels like memory" in a sentence?

You can use "feels like memory" to describe a sensory experience or situation that evokes a strong sense of nostalgia or familiarity. For instance, "The old song on the radio "feels like memory", taking me back to my childhood summers".

What are some alternatives to "feels like memory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "evokes a memory", "reminiscent of the past", or "brings back memories", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "feels like a memory" instead of "feels like memory"?

While "feels like memory" is perfectly acceptable, "feels like a memory" can also be correct depending on the context. The inclusion of 'a' suggests that the sensation is similar to a specific, singular memory rather than memory in general.

What's the difference between "feels like memory" and "reminds me of the past"?

"Feels like memory" has a more evocative and sensory connotation, suggesting a direct emotional or sensory link to a past experience. "Reminds me of the past", on the other hand, is a more general statement of association.