jog his memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "jog his memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to help someone remember something or to prompt their recollection of a past event or detail. Example: "I showed him the old photographs to jog his memory about our trip to the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

Did I jog his memory, I wonder?

The Guardian - Books

"The rascasse," I said, to jog his memory.

The New Yorker

He jokingly said that he had to jog his memory to perform it.

The New York Times - Sports

His old club the Tigers will be doing their best to help jog his memory.

The Guardian - Sport

We showed him photographs to try to jog his memory, but nothing coherent seemed to click.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They asked him to come down to the station -- to help jog his memory.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Hana reads to him from his volume of Herodotus, which jogs his memory.

Britannica

After jogging his memory using his diaries he recalled one dinner in 1997, but no others.

The Guardian

She is patient, always, with the Almighty, and explicit, and she is a firm believer in jogging His memory.

The New Yorker

What's going on?'" Rall asked Pringle for the tape and said hearing it jogged his memory.

The Guardian

Sato says that Satoda told her that he had forgotten about the diary, but the line about his missed graduation jogged his memory.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "jog his memory", consider providing specific details or context to make the memory retrieval more effective. For instance, instead of simply saying "I tried to jog his memory", specify what you did: "I showed him photos from the trip to jog his memory".

Common error

Avoid relying solely on broad questions when trying to "jog his memory". Vague prompts like "Do you remember?" are less effective than specific cues that relate directly to the memory you're trying to elicit. Use specific details instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "jog his memory" functions as a verb phrase. It typically serves as the predicate of a sentence, indicating an action performed to stimulate someone's recollection. Ludwig's examples confirm its common usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

8%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "jog his memory" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the act of helping someone remember something. As confirmed by Ludwig, it appears frequently in neutral contexts like news and media, as well as more informal settings. When using this phrase, it's beneficial to provide specific details or context to enhance the effectiveness of the memory retrieval process. Alternatives such as "refresh his recollection" or "remind him of" can be used depending on the desired nuance. Be sure to avoid vague prompts and provide specific cues to effectively "jog his memory".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

help him recall

A straightforward way to express assistance in remembering.

refresh his recollection

Focuses on revitalizing an existing memory, suggesting a gentle prompting.

prompt his memory

Emphasizes initiating a memory response, often through a cue or question.

remind him of

Directly recalls a specific event or detail to his attention.

stir his memory

Implies a more emotional or evocative recall, often from a dormant state.

prod his memory

Implies a gentle urging or nudging to stimulate recollection.

bring back to his mind

A more descriptive phrase indicating the act of returning something to his conscious awareness.

push him to remember

Suggests a stronger prompting, perhaps when resistance or difficulty is present.

aid his remembrance

A formal way of saying to assist in the act of remembering.

call something to his attention

Shifts focus to highlighting a specific detail that may have been overlooked.

FAQs

How can I use "jog his memory" in a sentence?

You can use "jog his memory" when you want to help someone remember something. For example, "I showed him old photos to "jog his memory" about our vacation".

What can I say instead of "jog his memory"?

You can use alternatives like "refresh his recollection", "remind him of", or "help him recall" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "jog someone's memory"?

Yes, "jog someone's memory" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase to indicate helping someone remember something.

What is the difference between "jog his memory" and "refresh his memory"?

"Jog his memory" implies a more active prompting to stimulate a dormant memory, while "refresh his memory" suggests restoring clarity to a memory that is already partially present.