indistinct memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "indistinct memory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a vague or unclear recollection of a past event or experience. Example: "As I tried to recall the details of my childhood, I was left with only an indistinct memory of the summer days spent at the lake."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Gimme!" But she's not attempting a simple 80's revival; for all the vaguely familiar hooks, there are also sustained, wistful overlays of strings and acoustic guitar that enfold the music like a haze of indistinct memory.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

And people, things, clothes, memories, stories — all seized and made instantly vivid: Indistinct memories came to him.

The New Yorker

To clarify the epistemology of memory, Reid distinguishes between distinct and indistinct memories.

SEP

He says distinct memories are "real knowledge" and indistinct memories are not: "Memory is always accompanied with the belief of that which we remember, as perception is accompanied with the belief of that which we perceive," which emphasizes the structural similarity between the two faculties.

SEP

"The beautiful things we shall write if we have talent," Proust says, "are inside us, indistinct, like the memory of a melody which delights us though we are unable to recapture its outline.

The Guardian - Books

Speedy J? All of these hundreds of nights out have pretty much congealed into one indistinct and threadbare memory now.

Vice

His memories grew indistinct, but still maintained the weight that memories can have.

The New Yorker

We made these moves, I know we did, but my memories are indistinct.

The Guardian - Music

Age in these memories is rather indistinct.

The New Yorker

And Bobby felt like an incidental fixture within that memory, wavering and thinning and becoming increasingly indistinct, mnemonic collateral on the cusp of disintegration.

The New Yorker

Objects are vividly and clearly given to us in perception, but the memory-impressions of previous births are at best vague and indistinct.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Combine "indistinct memory" with sensory details (smells, sounds) to evoke a stronger sense of the past, even if the visual aspects are vague.

Common error

While "indistinct memory" is acceptable, avoid overuse in formal or technical writing where precision is paramount. Opt for more specific descriptions if possible to enhance clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "indistinct memory" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "indistinct" modifies the noun "memory". It describes a quality of the memory, indicating that it lacks clarity or distinctness. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indistinct memory" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a vague or unclear recollection, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. While commonly found in various contexts such as news and science writing, it should be used judiciously in formal settings requiring precise language. For alternative phrasing, consider "vague memory" or "faint memory". This phrase serves to convey a sense of fading or incomplete remembrance, adding depth and nuance to descriptions of past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vague memory

Replaces "indistinct" with "vague", emphasizing the lack of clarity.

faint memory

Substitutes "indistinct" with "faint", highlighting the weak or feeble nature of the memory.

unclear recollection

Replaces "memory" with "recollection" and "indistinct" with "unclear", focusing on the lack of distinctness in the recall.

blurred memory

Uses "blurred" instead of "indistinct" to describe the memory, implying a lack of sharpness.

hazy memory

Replaces "indistinct" with "hazy", suggesting a memory that is obscured or clouded.

shadowy memory

Employs "shadowy" to convey the elusive and unclear nature of the memory.

imprecise memory

Uses "imprecise" instead of "indistinct", focusing on the lack of exactness in the memory.

fleeting memory

Suggests that the memory is not only unclear but also brief and quickly disappearing.

fragmentary memory

Highlights that the memory exists only in incomplete pieces.

tenuous memory

Indicates a memory that is weak and easily lost.

FAQs

What does "indistinct memory" mean?

An "indistinct memory" refers to a recollection of a past event or experience that is not clear, precise, or well-defined. The details may be vague, hazy, or incomplete.

How can I use "indistinct memory" in a sentence?

You can use "indistinct memory" to describe a past experience that is difficult to recall in detail. For example: "I have an "indistinct memory" of my first day of school, but I remember feeling excited."

What are some alternatives to "indistinct memory"?

Alternatives to "indistinct memory" include "vague memory", "faint memory", "unclear recollection", or "blurred memory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "indistinct memory" formal or informal?

"Indistinct memory" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though more precise language might be preferred in highly technical or academic writing.