i recall when

USAGE SUMMARY

"I recall when..." is a perfectly grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
For example, you could use it in the following sentence: "I recall when I was a young child, playing with my friends on the playground."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

That's what I recall when I accepted the recommendations.

The Washington Post

I recall when there was almost nothing there but orange groves and pastures.

The New York Times

GONZALES: Senator, that rationale was not in my mind, as I recall, when I accepted the recommendation.

The Washington Post

I recall when my brother was 14, his class was taken on a school trip to the countryside from London.

The Guardian - Travel

I recall when a last-minute bout of flu made him cancel several Metropolitan Opera performances of "Tosca" in 2002.

The New York Times

And I recall when the Four Seasons, Ritz-Carltons, and St Regises of this world competed with one another – not with Airbnb.

The Guardian - Business

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I'll take Rotella if you take Cindy" was a phrase I recalled when other youngsters were picking teams.

The New York Times - Sports

BERLIN — A Jewish friend once told me something that I recalled when writing this week's Letter from Europe about Germany and circumcision.

The New York Times

Sometimes I write about the flavors, sometimes I write about some fun images in my mind that I recalled when making a particular wine".

Huffington Post

I started to feel bad about Barnes & Noble, but then I recalled when warehouse stores — including Office Depot, CompUSA, Borders, Tower Records and Blockbuster — gave no thought to the mom-and-pop video rental, book and record stores.

Los Angeles Times

I can recall when I brought in flexible working a few years ago in the organisation I was running which had offices around the country.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "i recall when" to introduce a personal anecdote or share a memory, adding a touch of nostalgia or personal experience to your writing.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "i recall when". Vary your sentence structure to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "i recall when" functions as an introductory phrase to a clause that describes a past event or experience. Ludwig AI examples show it is used to set the stage for an anecdote or to provide context based on personal memory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "i recall when" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to introduce a personal memory or anecdote. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase functions as an introductory element, setting the stage for a narrative drawn from personal experience. While often interchangeable with "i remember when", "i recall when" carries a slightly more formal tone and may imply a more deliberate act of remembering. It is used mainly in News & Media, but also in formal business and science contexts. To enhance writing, avoid overusing the phrase and vary sentence structure. Alternatives like "i recollect when" can add formality, while "as i recall, when" emphasizes the reliance on memory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i remember when

More direct and common alternative to express a memory.

i recollect when

A more formal synonym for "recall", indicating a conscious effort to remember.

as i recall, when

Adds a slight emphasis on the act of remembering, often used when providing details from memory.

if i remember correctly, when

Indicates that the speaker is relying on their memory and may not be entirely certain.

back when i remember

Highlights a contrast between the past and present.

in my memory, when

Focuses on the memory itself.

i look back to when

Emphasizes the act of reflecting on a past time or event.

thinking back to when

Highlights the process of thinking about the past.

i call to mind when

A more literary or formal way to express remembering something.

it comes to mind that

Indicates a thought or memory that suddenly appears.

FAQs

How can I use "i recall when" in a sentence?

You can use "i recall when" to introduce a memory or anecdote, for example: "I recall when we first visited the Grand Canyon; it took my breath away."

What's a more formal way to say "i recall when"?

A more formal alternative is "i recollect when", which implies a more deliberate act of remembering.

Is "i recall when" interchangeable with "i remember when"?

While similar, "i remember when" is generally more common and less formal than "i recall when". They can often be used interchangeably, but "i recall" can suggest a more conscious effort to bring something to mind.

What's the difference between "as I recall, when" and "i recall, when"?

"As I recall, when" emphasizes that you are relying on your memory, while "i recall, when" simply introduces a memory. The "as I recall" version makes it clear that the information is based on your recollection, which might not be perfect.