outstanding memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "outstanding memory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who has an exceptional ability to remember information or experiences. Example: "Her outstanding memory allowed her to recall every detail of the lecture, impressing both her peers and professors."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Fluent in several languages, he had an outstanding memory and remembered hundreds of birthdays.

The New York Times

We incorporate the prefix inclusion coding scheme to achieve outstanding memory efficiency.

Computer Communications

My outstanding memory of the book festival took place in 2004, when I was still living in Edinburgh.

The Guardian - Books

One outstanding memory is of requesting coffee after dinner and being told to buy it at the lobby machine.

The New York Times - Travel

But for most visitors the outstanding memory is how they got there: a 10-minute journey across open sea on Ireland's only cable car.

The Guardian - Travel

That was good but the outstanding memory came in the semi-final when Canada led three times, USA clawed it back three times and pinched it at the death, after 123 minutes, courtesy of Alex Morgan's header.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Lord Coe recalls his outstanding memories of the day: "I started the day at Weymouth.

The Guardian - Sport

These two may provide some outstanding memories".

BBC

Bush's chat with Costas uncovered his outstanding Olympic memory: fellow Texan Bobby Morrow winning the 100-meter sprint at the 1956 Summer Games.

The New York Times - Sports

The outstanding Philip memory of that first year, though - certainly the devotional act that convinced me my mother was on to a good thing - was at my seventh birthday party.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It is therefore fitting that a chunk of the wall, one of the many real and fake souvenirs that have circulated since its joyous destruction, is the first thing you see as you enter the British Museum's outstanding exhibiiton Germany: Memories of a Nation.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a person's abilities, use "outstanding memory" to emphasize their ability to accurately recall facts and details.

Common error

Avoid using "outstanding memory" when you actually mean someone has a "selective memory", where they remember only what benefits them or aligns with their biases. "Outstanding memory" implies a general and comprehensive ability to recall information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "outstanding memory" functions as a descriptive term, typically used to characterize an individual's cognitive ability. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from personal attributes to technical specifications. It acts as a noun phrase, where "outstanding" modifies "memory."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

29%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "outstanding memory" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to describe an exceptional ability to remember information. According to Ludwig, this phrase functions descriptively, often used to commend an individual’s cognitive skills or technical capabilities. Its neutral register allows it to fit in diverse contexts, from formal scientific papers to general media reports. Alternatives like "exceptional memory", "remarkable memory", and "extraordinary memory" can provide nuanced emphasis. It’s important to differentiate the comprehensive nature of an "outstanding memory" from the selective nature of what is known as “selective memory.”

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exceptional memory

Replaces "outstanding" with a synonym emphasizing the high quality of memory.

remarkable memory

Uses "remarkable" to highlight the unusual or noteworthy nature of the memory.

extraordinary memory

Substitutes "outstanding" with "extraordinary", indicating an exceptional degree of memory ability.

superior memory

Employs "superior" to suggest a higher level of memory compared to others.

amazing memory

Uses "amazing" to convey a sense of wonder and impressiveness regarding the memory.

prodigious memory

Replaces "outstanding" with "prodigious", suggesting an unusually large or impressive memory capacity.

uncommon memory

Replaces "outstanding" with "uncommon", highlighting the rarity of such a strong memory.

excellent memory skills

This phrase emphasizes the practical skills associated with having a good memory.

photographic memory

Specifies a particular type of exceptionally detailed and accurate memory.

impressive recall ability

Focuses on the ability to retrieve information, replacing "memory" with the more active "recall ability".

FAQs

How can I describe someone with an "outstanding memory"?

You can say they have an "exceptional memory", a "remarkable memory", or an "extraordinary memory". Each emphasizes the person's superior ability to recall information.

Is it appropriate to use "outstanding memory" in formal writing?

Yes, "outstanding memory" is suitable for formal writing. It's a clear and professional way to describe someone's excellent ability to remember information. For similar options consider "superior memory" or "prodigious memory".

What's the difference between "outstanding memory" and "photographic memory"?

"Outstanding memory" refers to a generally excellent ability to remember things. "Photographic memory", also known as eidetic memory, refers to the ability to recall images with near-perfect accuracy, as if taking a mental photograph. "Photographic memory" is a specific type of outstanding memory but doesn't imply superior recall in all areas.

When should I use "impressive recall ability" instead of "outstanding memory"?

Use "impressive recall ability" when you want to specifically highlight the act of remembering and retrieving information. "Outstanding memory" refers to the capacity of the memory itself, while "impressive recall ability" focuses on the effectiveness of retrieving stored information.