i cannot remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I cannot remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are trying to express that you are not able to remember something. For example, "I cannot remember the name of the restaurant we went to last night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I cannot remember.

The New Yorker

I cannot remember who won.

The Guardian - Opinion

I cannot remember your hands".

The Guardian - Books

I cannot remember anything on this scale.

Independent

"I cannot remember French," he said.

The New York Times - Food

PREMINGER: I cannot remember dates and years.

The New Yorker

They had a handgun but I cannot remember.

Independent

"I cannot remember the words that were said," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I cannot remember seeing a 20-point favourite ever.

The Economist

I cannot remember ever having cooked with it.

The New York Times - Food

But I cannot remember how or when or precisely where.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "I cannot remember", ensure the context clearly indicates what information you are unable to recall. Avoid ambiguity by specifying the subject or event in question.

Common error

While acceptable, "I cannot remember" can sound less sophisticated in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "I do not recall" or "My memory fails me" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I cannot remember" functions as a declarative statement expressing an inability to recall information. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I cannot remember" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression to indicate a lack of recall. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability in various contexts. While acceptable in both formal and informal settings, it's worth noting that slightly more formal alternatives like "I do not recall" exist. The phrase sees frequent use in "News & Media" and "Science", as shown by Ludwig's examples. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying what information is forgotten.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i don't recall

This alternative is a more informal way to express a lack of memory.

i can't recollect

This alternative is slightly more formal and emphasizes the effort to remember.

i'm sorry, i don't remember

This alternative is a polite way to express a lack of memory, often used in conversation.

i have no memory of

This alternative emphasizes the complete absence of a memory.

i'm unable to remember

This alternative is a more formal and polite way to express a lack of memory.

i fail to remember

This alternative conveys a sense of inability or inadequacy in remembering.

it doesn't ring a bell

This alternative is an idiomatic expression indicating a lack of familiarity or recognition.

i draw a blank

This alternative describes the sudden inability to remember something.

i forget

This alternative is a simple and direct way to state a lack of memory.

memory fails me

This alternative is a more poetic way of expressing a lack of memory.

FAQs

How to use "I cannot remember" in a sentence?

You can use "I cannot remember" to express a lack of recall, such as in "I cannot remember where I put my keys" or "I cannot remember the name of the movie we watched last week".

What can I say instead of "I cannot remember"?

You can use alternatives like "I don't recall", "I can't recollect", or "I have no memory of depending on the context".

Is it better to say "I cannot remember" or "I don't remember"?

"I don't remember" is more informal and commonly used in everyday conversation. "I cannot remember" is slightly more formal but both are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning.

What's the difference between "I cannot remember" and "I can't remember"?

"I cannot remember" and "I can't remember" are essentially the same in meaning. "I can't remember" is a contraction and is more casual, while "I cannot remember" is the full form and slightly more formal.