i barely remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I barely remember" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a limited recollection or faint memory of something. Example: "I barely remember the details of the meeting from last week, but I know we discussed the new project timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I barely remember that life.

The New Yorker

Even though I barely remember sex".

The New York Times - Food

I barely remember that he listed them.

The New York Times - Magazine

I barely remember my Soviet childhood.

The New York Times

Now I barely remember my old life.

The New York Times

(I barely remember those shows, either).

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I barely remember that," Jefferson said.

The New York Times - Sports

"I barely remember it," Mr. Wallace said the other day.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Letters from friends I barely remembered.

The New Yorker

Later I barely remembered a word I'd said.

The New York Times

I barely remembered the next call.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i barely remember" to indicate a fading or uncertain memory, differentiating it from complete amnesia or clear recollection.

Common error

Avoid using "i badly remember" when you mean "i barely remember". 'Badly' refers to quality or performance, while 'barely' refers to the extent or degree of recall.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i barely remember" functions as a statement of weak or fading memory. It's used to convey that the speaker has some recollection, but it is incomplete or unclear. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i barely remember" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a weak or incomplete recollection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and the examples show its versatility across various contexts, especially in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure the context clarifies what you're trying to recall. Alternatives like "i vaguely recall" or "i hardly remember" can be used to convey similar meanings. Be careful not to confuse 'barely' with 'badly'.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i hardly remember

Replaces 'barely' with 'hardly', offering a near synonymous expression of limited recall.

i scarcely remember

Substitutes 'barely' with 'scarcely', which has a similar meaning but slightly different nuance.

i vaguely recall

Replaces 'remember' with 'recall' and 'barely' with 'vaguely', indicating an imprecise recollection.

i don't quite remember

Expresses a degree of uncertainty in remembering, implying the memory is incomplete.

i have a faint recollection of

Uses 'recollection' instead of 'remember' and 'faint' instead of 'barely', emphasizing the weakness of the memory.

i have a fleeting memory of

Describes the memory as 'fleeting', suggesting it passed quickly and was not firmly grasped.

my memory is hazy

Shifts from a direct statement about remembering to describing the state of one's memory.

it's a dim memory

Focuses on the quality of the memory being 'dim', rather than the act of remembering.

the details escape me

Focuses on the unavailability of specific details, indicating a general lack of clear memory.

it doesn't ring a bell

An idiomatic way of saying something is not familiar or memorable.

FAQs

How can I use "i barely remember" in a sentence?

You can use "i barely remember" to express a weak or faint recollection of something. For example, "I barely remember the plot of that movie" or "I barely remember my childhood vacations".

What can I say instead of "i barely remember"?

You can use alternatives like "i vaguely recall", "i hardly remember", or "my memory is hazy" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "i barely remember"?

Yes, "i barely remember" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate that your memory of something is weak or fading.

What's the difference between "i barely remember" and "i don't remember"?

"I barely remember" implies some fragmented or weak recollection, while "i don't remember" suggests a complete lack of memory. The former indicates a partial memory, the latter, no memory at all.