fleeting memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"fleeting memory" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use "fleeting memory" to refer to a brief or short-lived recollection of something. For example: 1. As I walked through the old town, a fleeting memory of my childhood vacations there came rushing back. 2. The elderly woman's face lit up as she shared her fleeting memories of the war with her grandchildren. 3. The photograph triggered a fleeting memory from my distant past, but I couldn't quite place it. 4. The accident left him with a concussion, and he struggled to hold onto even the most fleeting memories of the event. 5. Despite his advanced age, he still had a sharp mind and could recall even the most fleeting memories with ease.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

Good rosé may well be more than a fleeting memory.

The New York Times - Food

But for the most part, our fleeting memory difficulties are from normal age-related changes in the brain.

Harvard University

Most of the fleeting memory problems that we experience with age reflect normal changes in the structure and function of the brain.

Harvard University

In the fast movements and the Menuetto, the ensemble was trim, tight and energetic; the balance problems of the Adagio seemed a fleeting memory.

The New York Times - Arts

Though the technology gauge came roaring back late that same afternoon, it has since retraced the downward path, leaving the 5,000 mark a fleeting memory.

The New York Times

"The nimble, flexible, core-mission-oriented enterprise the D.O. once was, is becoming just a fleeting memory," the report said, referring to the Directorate of Operations.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The flashbacks feel like fleeting memories.

The New York Times - Arts

I have only the most fleeting memories of our day at The House That Ruth Built.

The New Yorker

40 (2000) 1469–1487; J.M. Woolfe, Inattentional amnesia, in: V. Coltheart (Ed)., Fleeting Memories, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA, 1999] and change blindness [M.M. Hayhoe, What guides attentional selection in natural environments?

Robotics and Autonomous Systems

"I wanted to explore the stark paradox in photography itself, which is capturing small deaths and fleeting memories, looking back in time and freeze framing".

Independent

Urban young people have only fleeting memories of white oppressors, and they yearn for jobs, computers and cellphones, which are often unattainable luxuries in this time of severe food shortages and sharp economic decline.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fleeting memory" when you want to emphasize the brief and transient nature of a recollection. For example, when describing a sudden and quickly fading thought or impression from the past.

Common error

Avoid using "fleeting memory" when describing significant, impactful, or frequently recalled events. This phrase is best suited for minor or quickly forgotten moments.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fleeting memory" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "fleeting" modifies the noun "memory". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and appropriateness in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

20%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fleeting memory" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that describes a short-lived or transient recollection. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage spans various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Academia. While neutral in register, it effectively conveys the ephemeral nature of certain memories. Related phrases include "brief recollection" and "transient memory". Remember to use it to describe minor or quickly forgotten moments and avoid it in place of long-term memories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fleeting recollection

Similar to "fleeting memory" but replaces "memory" with "recollection."

transient memory

Emphasizes the temporary nature of the memory.

brief recollection

Highlights the short duration and act of remembering.

temporary memory

Similar to "transient memory", focusing on the non-permanent aspect.

short-lived memory

Directly conveys the idea of a memory that does not last long.

passing memory

Implies a memory that quickly fades or disappears.

fugitive memory

Evokes a sense of a memory that is difficult to capture or retain.

evanescent memory

Suggests that the memory is fading, disappearing like vapor.

ephemeral memory

Stresses the short-lived and delicate nature of the memory.

momentary memory

Highlights that memory is only for a moment.

FAQs

What does "fleeting memory" mean?

"Fleeting memory" refers to a memory that is brief, transient, or quickly fades from consciousness. It is a short-lived recollection of something.

How can I use "fleeting memory" in a sentence?

You can use "fleeting memory" to describe a short-lived or quickly disappearing memory. For example: "I had a fleeting memory of that summer day as I drove past the old park."

What are some synonyms for "fleeting memory"?

Some synonyms for "fleeting memory" include "brief recollection", "transient memory", and "passing memory".

Is it appropriate to use "fleeting memory" in formal writing?

Yes, "fleeting memory" is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Its use depends on the context and the desired emphasis on the brief nature of the memory.