had no memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "had no memory of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a lack of recollection or awareness of a past event or experience. Example: "After the accident, she had no memory of what had happened in the moments leading up to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

He had no memory of the man.

The New York Times - Sports

"They had no memory of me.

The New York Times - Books

He had no memory of it.

The New York Times - Magazine

She had no memory of having done so.

The New York Times

He had no memory of doing it before.

The New York Times

Decades later, Maxwell had no memory of this.

The New Yorker

She had no memory of how she fell.

The New York Times

He said he had no memory of the crash.

The New York Times - Sports

Lupita had no memory of her own early ambitions.

The New Yorker

Brooks said she had no memory of that.

The Guardian

Afterward, she said she had no memory of this incident.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "had no memory of" to clearly indicate a lack of recollection, especially when discussing events, incidents, or details that one would normally be expected to remember. It's useful in legal, medical, and personal contexts.

Common error

While "didn't remember" and "had no memory of" are similar, "had no memory of" often suggests a more complete or permanent lack of recall, possibly due to trauma or a medical condition. Use "didn't remember" when the lack of memory is more casual or temporary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "had no memory of" functions as a declarative statement indicating a lack of recollection regarding a person, event, or piece of information. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various narratives, from personal experiences to news reports, illustrating its capacity to convey memory loss or absence of recall. This aligns with Ludwig AI, which confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "had no memory of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a complete absence of recollection. Ludwig examples show its presence in diverse contexts, mainly in News & Media, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian attesting to its widespread use. While seemingly simple, it carries a specific nuance indicating a stronger disconnect from the past than mere forgetting. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. When writing, consider whether you want to emphasize a complete lack of recall (use "had no memory of") or a more temporary state of forgetting (use alternatives like "didn't remember").

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

had no recollection of

Synonymous, stressing the absence of any retrieved information from one's memory.

could not recall

Focuses on the inability to bring something back to mind.

did not remember

A straightforward alternative indicating a lack of remembrance.

lacked any recollection of

Emphasizes the complete absence of any memory.

was unable to recollect

More formal, emphasizing the failure to recall something.

had forgotten

Highlights the act of losing a memory over time.

couldn't bring to mind

Suggests an effort to remember that proves unsuccessful.

had no awareness of

Stresses the absence of recognition about something.

was not cognizant of

A more formal and emphatic way to indicate a lack of awareness.

was oblivious to

Implies a lack of awareness or attention to something.

FAQs

What does "had no memory of" mean?

The phrase "had no memory of" indicates a complete lack of recollection or awareness regarding a past event, experience, or piece of information. It suggests that the event is entirely absent from one's memory.

What can I say instead of "had no memory of"?

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

Is it appropriate to use "had no memory of" in formal writing?

Yes, "had no memory of" is appropriate for formal writing. It is a clear and direct way to express a lack of memory. However, more formal alternatives like "was unable to recollect" might be preferable in certain academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "had no memory of" and "forgot about"?

"Had no memory of" implies a complete absence of recollection, suggesting the event is not retrievable from memory. "Forgot about", on the other hand, suggests the information was once known but has since faded or been overlooked. "Forgot about" often implies a less permanent state than "had no memory of".