my memory fails me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "my memory fails me" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express that you cannot recall something or that you have forgotten a detail. Example: "I wanted to tell you the name of the restaurant we visited last week, but my memory fails me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

At least until my memory fails me.

Huffington Post

I was drunk too, so my memory fails me.

Vice

Unless my memory fails me, Stravelli isn't quite the same chanteuse she was when I first saw her.

Huffington Post

However, on either that trip or a later one -- my memory fails me -- our ferry to the island was escorted out of Woods Hole harbor by two 50-foot Coast Guard Zodiac boats, each sporting a 50mm machine gun on the bow -- as if we might be attacked in the coastal waters of Massachusetts, and by an enemy capable of being defeated by a machine gun.

Huffington Post

(Parenthetically, I cannot remember encountering a spontaneously breathing patient whose venous return was seriously affected by modest levels of CPAP, but perhaps my memory fails me).

Critical Care

The pills on that table are for the morning, and on another table are for the evening, it's because I'm on a lot of pills, unfortunately I' m on about sixteen a day… when my memory fails me I will have to write it down but so far it's good just by placing them in different rooms (P11 type 2 diabetes).

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

A media-savvy former reporter who has handled the press with aplomb for years, Mr Sikorski acknowledged that "my memory failed me," and that indeed the February 2008 meeting had involved no one-on-one meeting between Mr Tusk and Mr Putin at all.

The Economist

"My memory failed me," he said.Poles seem to be taking to Ms Kopacz.

The Economist

I'm reliably informed that Amis himself derived that episode from an evening of drinking with another novelist, the one (memory fails me) with the Scottish name and the English attitude.

The New Yorker

Ask me the color of the tile, and my memory fails.

The New York Times - Food

Perhaps some of them have even been implemented; my memory fails on these details.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Pair "my memory fails me" with a qualifying statement, such as 'on this particular point', to indicate the scope of memory lapse.

Common error

Avoid using "my memory fails me" too frequently in a single piece of writing. Vary your language with alternatives like "I can't recall" or "I don't remember" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "my memory fails me" functions as an idiomatic expression used to politely express a lapse in memory. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's a grammatically correct way to convey that one cannot remember a specific detail or event. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its usage in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "my memory fails me" is a grammatically sound and polite way to indicate a lapse in memory. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as scientific contexts. While versatile, overuse should be avoided, and alternatives such as "I can't recall" or "I don't remember" can provide variation. The phrase is acceptable for most writing situations, although formality may warrant a less idiomatic construction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

i can't recall

A more direct way of saying you don't remember something.

i don't remember

A simple, common way to express a lack of recall.

i'm drawing a blank

Indicates a temporary inability to remember something.

i've forgotten

A straightforward statement that you no longer remember something.

it escapes my memory

A more formal way of saying you can't remember something.

i'm having trouble remembering

Highlights the difficulty in recalling a specific detail.

i'm afraid i've forgotten

A polite way of admitting you can't remember something.

my recollection is hazy

Suggests a vague or unclear memory of something.

my memory is not what it used to be

Implies a general decline in memory ability.

the details are unclear to me

Focuses on the lack of clarity in your memory of the event.

FAQs

What does "my memory fails me" mean?

The phrase "my memory fails me" is a polite way of saying that you cannot remember something, or that you are having difficulty recalling specific details.

How can I use "my memory fails me" in a sentence?

You can use "my memory fails me" to introduce a statement where you are unsure of the accuracy of your recollection. For example, "I believe the meeting was on Tuesday, but "I can't recall" the exact date, "my memory fails me"."

What are some alternatives to saying "my memory fails me"?

Alternatives to "my memory fails me" include "I don't remember", "I can't recall", "I'm drawing a blank", or "it escapes my memory".

Is it appropriate to use "my memory fails me" in formal writing?

Yes, "my memory fails me" can be used in formal writing, but it may be more appropriate to use alternatives such as "I do not recall" or "I cannot remember" for greater precision.