recalled to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recalled to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a memory or thought that has come back to someone's mind. Example: "As he sat in silence, a long-forgotten memory was recalled to him, bringing a smile to his face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Constructions like "must also have recalled to him" begin to sound less like analysis than guesswork.

The New York Times

Verlaine was delighted with Rimbaud's antisocial antics, which recalled to him his own younger excesses before his marriage.

The Guardian - Books

His front-row seat recalled to him memories of childhood puppet shows, of gazing up at the slotted stage from which Punch and Judy and their like protruded.

The New Yorker

As The Times of London recalled, "To him, a full consideration of the environment meant thinking about a combination of architecture, town planning and landscape".

The New York Times

A shot of rescue workers sitting around on assorted chairs that had come out of the World Trade Center -- cafeteria chairs, conference chairs, Alvar Aalto chairs -- recalled to him, he said, photographs of Civil War soldiers sitting in front of their tents.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

"Recalling to him [Léger] his remarks of the night before in his lecture on objects, as isolated, interesting in themselves–I asked why he painted only certain things and not others.

Columbia University

By hypnotising such a patient and recalling to him the circumstances of his injury it is often possible to reassociate the lost powers: "If he has been paralysed, movement will occur in his limbs.

The Guardian

Harbhajan's Test success saw him recalled to the ODI team after more than two years.

Wikipedia

"Unfamous black guys never get shows," Bell recalled to Rolling Stone Rock telling him on the phone.

Huffington Post

"I came back and held him in my lap," she recalls, "to give him a little bit of water.

Unicef

The pungent fragrance recalled something to him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "recalled to him", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being remembered or brought back to mind. Providing specific details enhances clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "recalled to him" when the subject is actively remembering something without an external trigger. Use "he recalled" or "he remembered" instead to indicate active recollection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recalled to him" functions as a passive construction indicating that a memory or idea was brought to someone's awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. This suggests an external factor prompted the memory, rather than a deliberate act of remembering.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recalled to him" is a grammatically correct construction used to describe a memory or thought being brought back to someone's awareness, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It's a relatively uncommon phrase, appearing most frequently in news and media contexts. Alternatives include "remembered by him" and "reminded him of". When using "recalled to him", it's important to ensure the context makes it clear what is being remembered and to avoid using it when describing an active, self-initiated act of remembering. This phrase is considered neutral in register, with slight leanings toward formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remembered by him

Focuses on the act of remembering, changing the agency and voice of the phrase.

brought back to his memory

Emphasizes the return of a memory, using more descriptive language.

reminded him of

Highlights the act of being reminded, indicating an external trigger for the memory.

came back to his mind

Uses a more informal tone to indicate the return of a thought or memory.

he recollected

Employs a more formal term for remembering, shifting the focus to his act of recollection.

he was reminded

Focuses on the passive experience of being reminded rather than actively recalling.

it struck him that

Implies a sudden realization or memory, changing the emphasis to the impact of the thought.

he thought back to

Indicates a deliberate act of thinking about something from the past.

he cast his mind back to

Uses more figurative language to describe remembering, suggesting a deeper reflection.

it dawned on him

Emphasizes the gradual realization or understanding of something.

FAQs

How can I use "recalled to him" in a sentence?

Use "recalled to him" to describe a situation where a memory or thought is brought back to someone's mind, often by an external trigger. For example, "The old photograph "reminded him of" his childhood."

What are some alternatives to "recalled to him"?

Alternatives include "remembered by him", "brought back to his memory", or ""reminded him of"", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more formal to say "recalled to him" or "he remembered"?

"He remembered" is generally more direct and common. "Recalled to him" can sound slightly more formal or literary, suggesting that the memory was evoked by something external.

What's the difference between "recalled to him" and "he recalled"?

"He recalled" indicates an active effort of remembering, while "recalled to him" suggests the memory was brought back, possibly without conscious effort. For instance, "He recalled the event vividly" versus "The scent brought back to his memory of his grandmother's kitchen".