recall

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "recall" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to mean "the act of remembering something from the past," "a call for the return of a product due to it being defective," or "to revoke something, such as an appointment." For example, "The manufacturer issued a recall on the faulty product."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Brown repeatedly said he did not recall specifics about altering the cabinet minute or who instructed him to change it.

The Guardian

7 February: Britain and the US recall their ambassadors to Damascus in protest at the Assad regime's "murderous" behaviour towards its own civilians.

The Guardian

It is intended to recall the grim statement by Sir Edward Grey, then foreign secretary, in August 1914: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime".

The Guardian

That sounds pretty fantastic, unless you can recall the start of his career as a chief exec of publicly listed company in 2011, when that same stake was worth £6bn.

The Guardian - Business

West Brom take on Leicester at the King Power Stadium in a return to Premier League action on Saturday, with Irvine ready to recall all his key men after criticising those fringe players who failed to perform.

The Guardian - Sport

I can't recall the story of the play, and in any case it didn't matter much, because on the night I went, Edwards and Sykes decided to rip up the script and follow their own impromptu agenda.

The Guardian

Alliance party leader and Northern Ireland's justice minister, David Ford had demanded a recall of the Stormont assembly where he wants answers from mainstream unionist politicians about the violence.

The Guardian

"There's definitely a sense of responsibility," says Claire Rafferty, England's left-back and a part-time financial analyst at Deutsche Bank, who can look back nine years and recall her parents digging deep to finance career-saving knee surgery.

The Guardian - Sport

Two years on from that first visit, I recall a gazelle-like, beautiful human being floating about in the covers, a man with the balance and grace of a ballet dancer – he was an as yet unknown David Gower, still a season away from swivelling pulling his first ball in Test cricket for four.

The Guardian - Sport

US news channel CNN was forced to recall a tweet it sent about the Queen being in hospital, saying it was sent in error.

The Guardian

The women recall being given a tour by Maglio, who showered them with praise, and then – in a series of eerily similar episodes – would offer them a special wine or tea.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recall" in a formal context, ensure clarity by specifying what is being recalled (e.g., "recall a product", "recall an event").

Common error

While both "recall" and "remember" relate to memory, "recall" often implies a more deliberate act of bringing something to mind. Avoid using "recall" when "remember" is sufficient for a simple recollection.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recall" is as a verb, indicating the act of remembering or bringing something back to mind. It also functions as a noun, referring to the act of remembering or an official order to return something. Ludwig AI confirms its versatility.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Opinion

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Books

7%

TV & Radio

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "recall" is a versatile term with two primary functions: as a verb signifying the act of remembering or summoning something back, and as a noun denoting either the act of remembering or an official directive for the return of something. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically sound and frequently used, especially in news and media contexts. When writing, consider the slightly more deliberate nature of "recall" compared to "remember". By understanding its nuances, you can effectively employ "recall" in your writing to convey precise meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remember

Focuses on the act of bringing something to mind, similar to "recall" in its remembering sense.

call back

Directly conveys the action of summoning someone or something to return.

recollect

Implies a more deliberate effort to remember something than "recall".

bring to mind

A more descriptive way of saying "recall" in the sense of remembering.

call to mind

Similar to "bring to mind", emphasizing the act of actively summoning a memory.

summon back

Specifically emphasizes bringing something or someone back, as in "recall" an ambassador.

think back to

Emphasizes reflecting on a past event or time.

withdraw

Focuses on taking something back, similar to "recall" in the context of retracting a statement.

retract

Like "withdraw", but often used in the context of taking back words or statements.

revoke

Implies a formal cancellation or annulment, similar to "recall" in the context of an order.

FAQs

How can I use "recall" in a sentence?

You can use "recall" to mean remembering something, as in, "I can't "recall the story" of the play". It can also mean to officially order the return of something, like "The company had to "recall 2.6m cars" due to a fault".

What is a synonym for "recall" when referring to memory?

When "recall" refers to memory, you can use synonyms such as "remember", "recollect", or "bring to mind".

What does it mean when a product is "recalled"?

When a product is "recalled", it means the manufacturer has issued a "call in" for the product to be returned, typically due to a safety concern or defect.

Which is correct, "recall" or "remember"?

Both "recall" and "remember" are correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Recall" often implies a more active or deliberate attempt to bring something to mind, while "remember" can be a more passive experience.