not in recent memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not in recent memory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something has not occurred or been remembered for a significant amount of time. Example: "There hasn't been a storm of this magnitude not in recent memory, making it a historic event for the region."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

But, he said, "There's never been anything like this, at least not in recent memory".

The New York Times

PARIS — Not in recent memory has the world of fashion been so shaped by collections from the past.

The New York Times

"Not in recent memory has any new building been started in Downtown Brooklyn that will provide as much shopping space," The New York Times observed.

The New York Times

The answer, predictably, was some variant of "when I was there" — which, given the particulars of the crowd, meant not in recent memory.

The New Yorker

— ANDY NEWMAN As the evening high tide was drawing closer, there were reports of flooding in several low-lying areas around the five boroughs, places that had not in recent memory experienced flooding.

The New York Times

"I'm not aware of another case where this has happened on this scale ― certainly not in recent memory," she said.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

But the Times is still not profitable and has not been in recent memory.

The Economist

Droughts are occurring with a frequency and intensity not seen in recent memory.

Yale University

In fact it hasn't happened in recent memory.

The New York Times

Things are polarized in ways we haven't seen in recent memory.

Los Angeles Times

The repercussions have been particularly visible at LAX where the airline has heated up the kind of competition the airport hasn't seen in recent memory.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not in recent memory" to highlight the unusual or unprecedented nature of an event, emphasizing that it stands out from typical occurrences within a person's or group's collective experience.

Common error

Avoid using "not in recent memory" in very casual conversations; simpler phrases like "I don't remember" or "lately" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in recent memory" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the timing or duration of an event or state. It specifies that something has not occurred within a timeframe that is still within current or recent recollection, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

12%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not in recent memory" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to emphasize that something has not occurred or been remembered for a considerable amount of time. Ludwig AI explains it is most commonly found in neutral and formal contexts, such as news reports and academic papers, and is intended to highlight the unusual or unprecedented nature of a situation. While versatile, simpler alternatives may be preferable in casual settings. The most authoritative sources for its use include The New York Times and the Los Angeles Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in living memory

Replaces "recent" with "living", emphasizing a longer duration and stronger recollection.

unprecedented in recent times

Emphasizes the lack of similar occurrences in the current era.

not in memory

Removes "recent", broadening the time frame to any point in remembered history.

never within recollection

Suggests the event is entirely beyond the range of personal or collective memory

as far as anyone can remember

Shifts from a direct statement to an expression of collective recollection.

not in my recollection

Personalizes the statement, focusing on the speaker's individual memory.

not that anyone recalls

Introduces doubt, suggesting the event might have happened but is forgotten.

for as long as I can remember

Uses a personal timeframe, emphasizing the length of the speaker's experience.

in all my born days

An idiom expressing something remarkable or unprecedented in the speaker's life.

never before seen

Highlights the novelty and unprecedented nature of the event.

FAQs

How can I use "not in recent memory" in a sentence?

You can use "not in recent memory" to emphasize that something hasn't occurred for a significant period, such as, "There hasn't been a drought this severe "not in recent memory"."

What's a simple substitute for "not in recent memory"?

Alternatives include phrases like "I don't remember that happening" or "in a long time" depending on the level of formality you require.

Is "not in recent memory" formal or informal?

It leans towards neutral to formal, making it suitable for news reports, academic papers, and professional communications but less ideal for very casual settings.

Can "not in recent memory" be used to describe personal experiences only?

No, it can be used to describe both personal experiences and broader events impacting a community or even the world, as long as it relates to a period within current memory.