only to recall

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only to recall" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something was done with the intention of remembering or bringing something back to mind, often after an action or event. Example: "She opened the old photo album, only to recall the bittersweet memories of her childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

One has only to recall the gut-wrenching images of Hurricane Katrina's aftermath to confirm this.

The Guardian - Opinion

You need only to recall 2007 for their last unbeatable team.

The New York Times - Sports

One has only to recall Mr. Louis in his 1966 solo, "Chimera," to realize his flair for the fantastic.

The New York Times - Arts

It flopped with critics but deserves a fresh look, if only to recall Kirstein's polemical zeal and fleeting Bolshevism.

The New York Times - Arts

One need only to recall the drought and heat wave that hit the mid-western United States last summer, damaging corn and soybean production.

Stanford University

One has only to recall the army of toilers creating ballets on assignment during the company's Stravinsky Festivals in 1972 and 1982.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

The assessment of dietary intake may be subject to measurement errors that are not only due to recall bias but also to the estimation using food-composition databases, which may not be complete for the whole range of foods consumed.

British Journal of Cancer

The 2014 model is not only sculpted to recall those days, but also wears a name dating to the landmark 1963 model: Stingray.

BBC

The DNA logic circuits were not only able to recall memory using incomplete information but also to determine when conflicting answers were obtained [51].

Nanoscale Research Letters

Stories can do worlds well too — one only has to recall Octavia Butler's short fiction — but in general a world is best made real, made credible, over the long span than the short.

Huffington Post

One only has to recall the delight Al Hirschfeld provided so often and for so long to readers of the arts pages of The Times.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to recall" when you want to emphasize that the sole purpose of an action is to bring something back to memory. It adds a layer of intentionality to the act of remembering.

Common error

Avoid using "only to recall" when a more direct phrase like "just to remember" or "simply to recollect" would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to recall" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose, modifying a verb to indicate the reason or intention behind an action. It highlights that the sole aim of a particular action is to remember or bring something back to mind. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

29%

Academia

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only to recall" functions as an adverbial phrase that expresses purpose, specifically emphasizing that the sole intention behind an action is to remember or bring something to mind. Grammatically sound and deemed correct for use in writing, as confirmed by Ludwig, it often appears in news and media, as well as academic texts, giving a neutral, but still authoritative impression. While it's useful for adding emphasis, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider simpler alternatives when appropriate. By understanding its function and context, writers can effectively use "only to recall" to convey intentionality and purpose in their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely to remember

Replaces "recall" with "remember", offering a simpler and more direct alternative.

just to recollect

Substitutes "recall" with "recollect", which implies a more deliberate act of remembering.

simply to bring to mind

Replaces "recall" with a more descriptive phrase, emphasizing the action of making something come to mind.

with the sole intention of remembering

Emphasizes the intention behind the act of remembering, making it more explicit.

for the express purpose of recalling

Highlights the specific purpose of recalling something, adding formality.

so as to remember

Uses "so as to" to indicate purpose, providing a more concise alternative.

in order to recollect

Uses "in order to" to express purpose, similar to "so as to" but slightly more formal.

purely to remember

Adds emphasis with "purely", highlighting the single purpose of remembering.

if only to remember

Emphasizes the conditional aspect of remembering; it might be the only reason for doing something.

with the aim of recalling

Focuses on the goal or aim of recalling something.

FAQs

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

Use "only to recall" to indicate that an action is performed with the sole purpose of remembering something, as in: "She opened the old photo album, "only to recall" bittersweet memories."

What are some alternatives to "only to recall"?

You can use phrases like "just to remember", "simply to recollect", or "merely to bring to mind" as alternatives to "only to recall", depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "just to recall" instead of "only to recall"?

Yes, "just to recall" is a grammatically correct and often simpler alternative. It conveys a similar meaning but without the added emphasis of "only". Use it when the purpose of remembering is straightforward.

When should I use "only to recall" instead of "simply to remember"?

Use "only to recall" when you want to emphasize that the act of remembering is the primary or sole reason for the action being taken. "Simply to remember" is more neutral and doesn't carry the same weight of intentionality.