only recall that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only recall that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to remind someone to remember a specific piece of information or detail. Example: "In this discussion, I only recall that we agreed on a deadline of next Friday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

But he could only recall that, when he asked her how she felt wearing it, "I think I got a very odd answer".

The New Yorker

One need only recall that "Hockey Night in Canada" was once the home of Howie Meeker, a technical expert who explained the excellences of checking systems, until he was replaced by the dim and genial Don Cherry, whose understanding of how hockey games are won and lost begins and ends with the notion that tough Canadian boys play hard, and lily-livered Russians don't.

The New Yorker

One must only recall that PLSCR1 incorporated into liposomes mediates PLS but that knockout of its gene does not have clear-cut effects on PLS to appreciate a need for caution (Acharya et al., 2006; Fadeel and Xue, 2009; Bevers and Williamson, 2010; Ory et al., 2013).

eLife

As for why Mr. Pellicano sent a report to her before Ms. Doucett's deposition containing DMV, criminal history and home address and phone numbers, Ms. Millett could only recall that during the Shandling trial, they were having trouble locating Ms. Doucett.

Huffington Post

One need only recall that in 1985 Phibro-Salomon (before its merger into Travellers and in turn into Citigroup) reported a 1984 writeoff of $307 from its oil investments in the Beaufort Sea (" Phibro-Salomon in Red: Huge Oil Wrte-Off Cited," L.A.Times 02.20.85) underlining that oil profits are not a one way street- being a sum that had a vastly different connotation then, than it would have today.

Huffington Post

However, it is also possible that the optimization technique is not the issue - it may be that information from 10 gene tree topologies only (recall that gene tree branch lengths are not being used) is not sufficient to precisely estimate species tree branch lengths.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The volume not only recalls that some historical trajectories (globalization, immigration) span four centuries, but also reminds us of the historical footnotes (more Americans gave their lives in battles and in prisons in New York during the Revolution than anywhere else; the Wyckoff House in Brooklyn is the only surviving structure from the Dutch period).

The New York Times

"I only recall having that conversation once," Mr. Quinn chimed in.

The New York Times

"This is the only one I can recall that's had all of them".

The New York Times

1968, that's when Gene McCarthy and Bobby Kennedy were challenging the Humphrey/Johnson wing of the party — that would be the only thing I can recall that would come anywhere close, and it doesn't come very close.

Huffington Post

"Normal" is a loaded term for gay people, but I can only recall one ad that presents homosexuality as "normal" - ie not a joke, a threat or a whodathunkit plot twist.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only recall that" when you want to subtly prompt someone to remember a crucial detail without sounding condescending or overly direct. It works well in formal writing and discussions.

Common error

Avoid using "only recall that" excessively in your writing. Overuse can make your writing sound repetitive and stiff. Opt for simpler alternatives like "remember that" or "note that" to vary your sentence structure.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only recall that" functions as a discourse marker used to introduce a piece of information the speaker or writer wants the audience to remember or consider. As shown by Ludwig, it often prefaces a key point in an argument or explanation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only recall that" is a useful tool for reminding someone of an important piece of information. It's grammatically correct and generally employed in neutral to formal contexts, particularly in news, science, and encyclopedia entries. Ludwig highlights that it serves to direct attention and prompt memory. While effective, it's important to avoid overuse to maintain a natural writing style. Alternatives like "just remember that" or "bear in mind that" can offer variety. According to Ludwig, the phrase is most effective when aiming for subtle emphasis in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Just remember that

Replaces "only recall" with "just remember", making the phrase slightly less formal.

Keep in mind that

Replaces "only recall" with "keep in mind", which is a common alternative.

Bear in mind that

Uses "bear in mind" instead of "only recall", increasing the formality.

It's important to remember that

Adds emphasis to the importance of remembering the information.

Don't forget that

Phrases the reminder in a negative form, emphasizing potential oversight.

Let's not forget that

Suggests a collective remembering, useful in group discussions.

It should be noted that

Introduces the information as something noteworthy, with a formal tone.

It is worth mentioning that

Highlights the value of the information being recalled, slightly more formal.

You might remember that

Acknowledges that the listener may already know the information.

Consider that

Encourages the listener to take something into account, less direct as reminder.

FAQs

How can I use "only recall that" in a sentence?

You can use "only recall that" to gently remind someone of a fact. For example, "We can "only recall that" the meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday".

What can I say instead of "only recall that"?

You can use alternatives like "just remember that", "bear in mind that", or "keep in mind that" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "only recall that" formal or informal?

"Only recall that" is relatively formal. Simpler phrases like "remember that" are suitable for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "only recall that" and "remember that"?

"Only recall that" adds a subtle emphasis, suggesting that the information is crucial, whereas "remember that" is a more straightforward reminder.