recapture memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recapture memory" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of remembering something from the past, especially something that has been forgotten or lost. Example: As I walked through the old neighborhood, I couldn't help but recapture memories of my childhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Is the enjoyment of music only an attempt to recapture memory and youth?

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Most neuroscientists think the ability to recapture memories from brain tissue and re-create a consciousness inside a computer is at best decades away and probably not possible at all.

MIT Technology Review

The poet Ka returns to a virtually unrecognisable Istanbul after 12 years as a political exile in Germany, and decides to travel to the remote city of Kars to try to recapture memories of the Turkey he once knew.

The Guardian - Books

Starting off in a psychiatrist's office, the production jumps from group therapy to flashbacks, as patients desperately try to recapture memories.

Los Angeles Times

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Vice

His first novel, L'Inde ou l'Amérique (1969; "India or America"), recaptures memories of a disillusioned and alienated childhood, as does the more elaborate La Fête des anciens (1971; "The Feast of the Ancients").

Encyclopedia Britannica

She got him on board for Easy Come Easy Go so that she could recapture a memory of him, the one that she says is among her most precious.

Independent

All in all, a meal at Cesco's is like recapturing a memory of Italy, at a very reasonable price.

The New York Times

Two summers ago, they tried to recapture the memories by renting it from the new owner for two weeks.

The New York Times

She had been "walking around the stage, trying to recapture the memories," she said, adding, "I've had the time of my life here".

The New York Times

From time to time, we are spirited into a tale that Chow is writing, entitled "2046," which envisions a future where humans zip around on superfast trains, heading for a place where they can, allegedly, recapture their memories.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about personal experiences, use "recapture memory" to emphasize the effort or process of bringing back specific, cherished moments.

Common error

Avoid using "recapture memory" when simply referring to remembering something in general. Instead, reserve it for situations where there's a deliberate attempt to revive a specific, significant memory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recapture memory" functions as a verb phrase, where "recapture" acts as a transitive verb taking "memory" as its object. According to Ludwig, it is grammatically correct. This indicates an action performed on a memory.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

30%

Encyclopedias

13%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recapture memory" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of reviving or reliving a specific past recollection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While "recapture memory" is not very frequent in everyday conversation, it finds use in more descriptive or evocative contexts, particularly in news, academic, and encyclopedia sources. When considering usage, ensure the context warrants the active and intentional effort implied by "recapture memory", distinguishing it from simply "remembering". Alternatives like "rekindle memories" or "retrieve memories" may offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rekindle memories

Focuses on reigniting dormant memories.

retrieve memories

Emphasizes the act of bringing memories back from the past.

recollect memories

Highlights the effort of remembering something.

revive memories

Suggests bringing memories back to life.

reawaken memories

Implies stirring up memories that were dormant or forgotten.

revisit memories

Focuses on returning to past memories.

call back memories

Refers to actively summoning memories from the past.

bring back memories

Highlights the act of causing memories to return.

remember past moments

A more general way of referring to recalling past experiences.

relive the past

Suggests experiencing past events again in one's mind.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "recapture memory" in a sentence?

Use "recapture memory" when you want to emphasize the act of deliberately remembering or reviving a specific memory, especially one that is cherished or significant. For example, "Visiting my childhood home helped me "recapture memories" of simpler times".

What are some alternatives to "recapture memory"?

You can use alternatives like "rekindle memories", "retrieve memories", or "recollect memories" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "recapture memory" versus simply saying "remember"?

"Recapture memory" suggests a more active and intentional effort to bring back specific memories, often with a sense of nostalgia or longing. "Remember" is a more general term for recalling something. So use "recapture memory" when the situation involves actively trying to revive a particular memory.

Is "recapture memory" a common phrase in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "recapture memory" isn't as commonly used as simpler alternatives like "remember" or "recall". It's more likely to appear in writing or in situations where a more evocative or descriptive phrase is desired.