if my memory serves me right

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'if my memory serves me right' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to suggest that you are about to express your opinion, based on a recollection that you are not completely certain of. For example: "If my memory serves me right, the meeting will take place tomorrow at 3 pm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"If my memory serves me right, there were sixteen policemen," Whitaker told me, incredulously.

The New Yorker

The phone-hacking scandal may not actually have happened in the 70s, if my memory serves me right.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Many men and – if my memory serves me right – a few women risked their lives to love you.

The Guardian - Books

My mum's recipe was a classic of the Women's Institute, drawn from the many years she was a member – even presiding once, if my memory serves me right.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"The shots were in quick succession, separated by no more than a second, and less if my memory serves me right," Mr. Boardman said.

The New York Times

"Australia have been dominant in the last 10 years or so but a significant moment during their reign was when they chased about 350 odd against Pakistan (in Hobart, if my memory serves me right)," writes Anand Kumar.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Jews, either, if my memory serves me correctly.

The New Yorker

MR. COUNSELLOR SMIRNOV: And I believe, if my memory serves me correctly, Storekeeper Giesecke.

Yale University

He was older 31, if my memory serves me correctly.

Vice

If memory serves me right, some half-century ago, the Week In Review actually reviewed some of the news that had transpired that week.

The New York Times

In the mid-1980s I read a sentence written, if memory serves me right, by Marvin Minsky: "We build complex machines not to understand how the machine works, but to understand ourselves".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if my memory serves me right" to introduce a statement that might not be entirely accurate due to the fallibility of memory. This softens the statement and avoids sounding overly assertive.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple sentences in a paragraph with "if my memory serves me right". Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if my memory serves me right" functions as a discourse marker, specifically a hedging device. It introduces a statement based on recollection, acknowledging the potential for inaccuracy. As Ludwig AI correctly points out, its function is to introduce an opinion based on a recollection that you are not completely sure of.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if my memory serves me right" is a useful hedging device that indicates uncertainty about a recalled fact. Ludwig AI correctly identifies it as grammatically correct and usable. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, with a neutral to slightly informal register. While effective for softening statements, overuse should be avoided. Alternatives such as "if I remember correctly" or "to the best of my recollection" can provide variety. Remember to use it when you want to qualify information based on your memory but aren't entirely sure of its accuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if my recollection is correct

Replaces 'memory serves' with 'recollection is correct', emphasizing the act of remembering.

if I remember correctly

A more direct and common way of expressing reliance on memory.

to the best of my recollection

Formal alternative emphasizing the limits of one's memory.

as far as I can recall

Highlights the act of recalling information.

if my memory doesn't fail me

Emphasizes the possibility of memory error.

if I'm not mistaken

Focuses on the possibility of being incorrect.

unless my memory deceives me

A more dramatic way of expressing uncertainty about memory.

if my mind is correct

Substitutes 'memory' with 'mind', slightly broadening the scope.

from what I can remember

Similar to 'as far as I can recall', but slightly less formal.

if my aged memory is right

Adds a touch of humor by referring to old age.

FAQs

What does "if my memory serves me right" mean?

The phrase "if my memory serves me right" means that you are about to say something that you believe to be true, based on your recollection, but you are not completely certain. It's a way of expressing a qualification or uncertainty about a statement.

How can I use "if my memory serves me right" in a sentence?

You can use "if my memory serves me right" at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence to introduce information that you recall but aren't 100% sure about. For example, "If my memory serves me right, the meeting is scheduled for Tuesday" or "The restaurant, if my memory serves me right, is on Elm Street."

What are some alternatives to saying "if my memory serves me right"?

Alternatives to "if my memory serves me right" include phrases like "if I remember correctly", "to the best of my recollection", or "as far as I can recall". These phrases all convey a similar sense of uncertainty about one's memory.

Is it "if my memory serves me right" or "if my memory serves me correctly"? Which is correct?

Both "if my memory serves me right" and "if my memory serves me correctly" are grammatically acceptable, though "if my memory serves me right" is more commonly used. The choice between them depends on personal preference.