recesses of memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"recesses of memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to when a memory is buried in one's mind and is difficult to recall. For example, "Whenever I try to recall my first day of school, it's as though the memory has been buried in the recesses of my memory."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Obama's string of primary victories will recede into the deepest recesses of memory.

The New York Times

On Thursday night, that long-dormant emotion came rushing back, like an old dream that pops out of the deepest recesses of memory, suddenly as clear as light.

The New York Times

Perhaps it is the ghost of her past, humanity's past, coming to confront the audience, to console it, admonish it and then vanish into the recesses of memory and the dust of time.

The New York Times

What you may recall, though, from the dimmer recesses of memory, is the feeling this movie evokes, a feeling perhaps peculiar to (certainly most vivid in) adolescence: the sense that the world is almost unbearably charged with significance, electric with meaning.

The New York Times

Luckily, the many mistakes I made as a young man have faded into the recesses of memory, relived only at the occasional college reunion.

Huffington Post

"Second takes" confirm the fear nestled in the dark recesses of memory for those who like me witnessed on live television the second plane crash into the second tower of the World Trade Center.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The delicate strokes scramble themselves in the hazy recesses of his memory, eluding his brain's insistent summons to order.

The New York Times - Tech

From the start his writing was characterized by images and events that the author himself found difficult to explain but which seemed to come from the inner recesses of his memory.

Encyclopedia Britannica

You know, when Mr. Dylan recalls a tune from the recesses of his memory, merges it with another influence and then sends this amalgam through the Rube Goldberg device that produced "With God on Our Side" and "Desolation Row".

The New York Times

But l chose the quote above, as it's the one that has stayed somewhere in the recesses of my memory, the "less watery" comment immediately drawing me to it.

The Guardian - Books

That is why you can be sure that we will have another major financial crisis sometime in the future, once this one has disappeared into the recesses of our memory.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "recesses of memory" when you want to convey that a memory is deeply buried or difficult to recall, often implying that it requires effort to bring it to consciousness.

Common error

Avoid using "recesses of memory" when referring to easily recalled memories. This phrase implies difficulty in retrieval, so it's inappropriate for describing recent or frequently accessed memories.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recesses of memory" functions as a noun phrase acting as an adverbial modifier, typically used to describe where a memory is stored. As Ludwig AI highlights, it suggests a location that is not immediately accessible. This contrasts with more immediate memories.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "recesses of memory" is a grammatically sound and accepted expression used to describe memories that are deeply stored and not easily recalled. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to convey that a memory requires effort to bring to consciousness. While appropriate for both formal and informal contexts, it is most commonly found in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific writing. To enhance clarity, related phrases such as "depths of recollection" or "hidden corners of the mind" can be used. When using this phrase, ensure it aligns with the difficulty of recalling the specific memory being discussed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

depths of recollection

Replaces "memory" with "recollection", emphasizing the act of remembering.

hidden corners of the mind

Emphasizes the mind as the location of the memories, and uses "hidden corners" to convey inaccessibility.

distant reaches of memory

Uses "distant reaches" to indicate that the memories are far away and difficult to access.

deepest parts of remembrance

Substitutes "memory" with "remembrance", focusing on the act of recalling.

inner sanctum of memory

Uses "inner sanctum" to imply a private and protected space within the memory.

vaults of memory

Metaphorically refers to memories as stored in vaults.

subconscious memory stores

Highlights the subconscious aspect of the memory.

forgotten parts of the mind

Focuses on the idea that memories have been forgotten or are hard to recall.

unexplored regions of memory

Emphasizes that these memories are uncharted or not frequently accessed.

inner archives of the mind

Uses "archives" to denote a collection of stored memories, emphasizing their historical nature.

FAQs

How can I use "recesses of memory" in a sentence?

You can use "recesses of memory" to describe memories that are deeply buried and hard to recall. For example, "The answer was hidden deep in the "recesses of memory", requiring significant effort to retrieve."

What are some alternatives to "recesses of memory"?

Alternatives include "depths of recollection", "hidden corners of the mind", or "distant reaches of memory", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "recesses of memory" in formal writing?

Yes, "recesses of memory" is appropriate for formal writing, especially when describing the challenge of accessing deeply stored or forgotten memories. It's commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias, and other authoritative sources.

What's the difference between "recesses of memory" and "tip of my tongue"?

"Recesses of memory" refers to memories that are deeply stored and require effort to recall, while "tip of my tongue" describes a situation where a memory is almost accessible but not quite retrievable at the moment.