fragment of memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"fragment of memory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to describe a small or incomplete memory or recollection. Example: As she walked through the old abandoned house, she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. Suddenly, a fragment of memory came back to her - she used to play hide and seek in this very room with her siblings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Arts

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But each fragment of memory has to be retrieved, in agony, from the Alzheimer's fog.

The Guardian - Film

Does your fiction often spring from a fragment of memory, like this one?

The New Yorker

For what is a performance if not a fragment of memory in the process of being born?

The New York Times - Books

The doctors' inhuman nonsense is mocked by Lazarescu's all-too-human nonsense as he tries to hold on to some fragment of memory and desire.

The New Yorker

A fragment of memory forced me to look up a particularly poignant interview for an adult education blog from 2013.

Independent

Presented in loose chronological order, each fragment of memory is fascinating in its own way, moving from childhood's elemental fears and discoveries to the conflicted joys and pains of adulthood.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Both of them express their feelings indirectly, through images and fragments of memory that the reader is left to interpret.

The Guardian - Books

But as fragments of memory and narrative flicker about the room, the disorientation it evokes seems to suggest one thing: memory is fallible.

The New York Times - Arts

Faced with the truth, she grasps at the fragments of memory as she brokenly enacts the simple glissades and low jetés of the first pas de deux.

The New York Times - Arts

The half-­finished excerpts themselves — fragments of memory and anecdote — are like parables from which even the "late" Coetzee himself was unable to extract the meaning.

The New York Times - Books

Beatles samples emerge out of the murk, like fragments of memory: the chorus of Tell Me What You See counter-pointed with the climactic "Don't Believe in Beatles" from Lennon's God.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fragment of memory" to describe a specific, often small or incomplete, recollection rather than a general memory.

Common error

Avoid using "fragment of memory" when referring to a full, detailed recollection. Reserve it for instances where the memory is partial, incomplete, or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragment of memory" primarily functions as a noun phrase, acting as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence. It describes a small, disconnected piece of a past experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Books

20%

Arts

13%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Science

7%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fragment of memory" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an incomplete or partial recollection. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Appearing frequently in News & Media, books and Arts sources, its function is to convey a sense of incompleteness or vagueness in recalling past events. While alternatives such as "shard of memory" or "partial recollection" exist, "fragment of memory" remains a versatile and widely understood expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

shard of memory

This alternative uses "shard" to emphasize the broken or incomplete nature of the memory.

fleeting memory

This alternative emphasizes the brief and transient nature of the memory.

partial recollection

This alternative provides a more formal and direct substitute, highlighting the incompleteness of the memory.

faint memory

This alternative focuses on the dim or weak quality of the memory.

vague recollection

This alternative indicates a lack of clarity and precision in the memory.

trace of memory

This alternative emphasizes the minimal or residual presence of the memory.

hint of a memory

This alternative suggests a subtle and indirect indication of a past event.

glimpse of the past

This alternative uses figurative language to convey a brief and incomplete view of a past event.

lingering memory

This alternative suggests that the memory persists or remains present over time, even if it is incomplete.

ghost of a memory

This alternative uses a metaphorical and evocative expression for a faint and elusive memory.

FAQs

How can "fragment of memory" be used in a sentence?

You can use "fragment of memory" to describe a partial or incomplete recollection, such as: "A "fragment of memory" surfaced as she looked at the old photograph."

What phrases are similar to "fragment of memory"?

Similar phrases include "shard of memory", "partial recollection", or "fleeting memory", all suggesting an incomplete or vague memory.

Is "fragment of memory" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "fragment of memory" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, depending on the surrounding language and tone.

How does "fragment of memory" differ from "complete memory"?

"Fragment of memory" implies an incomplete or partial recollection, whereas "complete memory" suggests a full and detailed recollection of an event or experience.