i recollect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I recollect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you remember something from the past. Example: "I recollect the time we spent together at the beach last summer."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Clegg said: "I can only tell you the truth as I recollect it now … My recollection is that 2008 is the year the allegations were brought to my attention".

The Guardian

Clegg said: "I can only tell you the truth as I recollect it now … My recollection is that 2008 is the year the allegations were brought to my attention". He said specific allegations put by the Telegraph to Jonny Oates, his chief of staff, four days before polling day in 2010 were not passed on to him.

The Guardian

"I recollect this one," Dutse finally said.

The Washington Post

"I recollect one bank, Standard Chartered used to do this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Each year after we finish a book I recollect them.

Yale University

If I recollect, Oregon won about half a dozen games by less than a touchdown".

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

I recollected in the course of the second act that Thomas Mann was seated directly behind me.

The New Yorker

This sea is different from the sea I left and different from the one I recollected in New York.

The Guardian - Books

The "I" recollecting dwells in the imagination, which seems infinite; it looks upon its body as a sour piece of flesh with its own pitiable destiny.

The New Yorker

Reviewing the 1974 George C. Scott revival, Gill recalled that he had been somewhat dismayed at himself for being made to weep by the Kazan original: I recollected in the course of the second act that Thomas Mann was seated directly behind me.

The New Yorker

As I recollected my adventure, it became more and more like a dream, hyperrealistic, a place I know I could never really return to.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I recollect" when you want to add a touch of formality to your writing, particularly when recounting past events or experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "I recollect" in casual conversations or informal writing; it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Use "I remember" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I recollect" functions as a first-person declarative statement to indicate that the speaker remembers something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable English phrase. Examples from Ludwig show it used in various contexts to introduce a remembered fact or detail.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

35%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I recollect" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to indicate that one remembers something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While slightly more formal, it's appropriate for various contexts, especially news, academic, and scientific writing. Its function is to share information based on personal memory, and alternatives include "I remember" and "I recall", depending on the desired level of formality. Remember to use "I recollect" judiciously, avoiding overuse in informal situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I remember

A more common and straightforward way to express recollection.

I recall

A slightly more formal synonym for "I remember".

As I recall

Emphasizes that the statement is based on one's memory.

If I remember correctly

Adds a degree of uncertainty or qualification to the recollection.

To the best of my recollection

Indicates that the memory may not be perfect or complete.

From what I remember

Similar to 'as I recall' but slightly less formal.

My memory tells me

A more figurative and descriptive way to express remembering.

I can bring to mind

Highlights the act of actively retrieving a memory.

As far as I can recall

Similar to 'to the best of my recollection' but slightly less formal.

If my memory serves me right

Indicates reliance on memory and possibility of error.

FAQs

What is a more common alternative to "I recollect"?

A more common alternative is "I remember", which is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

When is it appropriate to use "I recollect"?

"I recollect" is suitable in formal writing or when you want to add a slightly elevated tone to your speech. It's often used when recounting past events or experiences.

Is "I recollect" interchangeable with "I recall"?

While similar, "I recollect" and "I recall" are not always fully interchangeable. "I recollect" can sometimes imply a more deliberate or thoughtful act of remembering.

What's the difference between "I recollect" and "if I remember correctly"?

"I recollect" expresses a memory with a degree of certainty, while "if I remember correctly" introduces a degree of uncertainty or qualification.