recollecting

USAGE SUMMARY

"recollecting" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when referring to the act of remembering or recalling something from memory. Example: "She spent the afternoon recollecting her childhood memories." Alternative expressions include "remembering" and "recalling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If hurriedly rattled off in an attempt at recollecting company guidelines, it is innocuous.

The Economist

Some of the stories are narrated by an upper-middle-class intellectual recollecting his past sexual relationships and friendships in Manhattan and in insular suburban Hecate county.

Encyclopedia Britannica

An earlier enumeration of three knowledges consists of this sixth abhijna together with the powers of recollecting previous existences and of seeing everything and thus knowing the future destinies of all beings.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Thus, they are understood not as an appearance of the saint but only as a visualization of the holy persons for the support of recollecting spiritual meanings that have been expounded intellectually through sermons.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The "I" recollecting dwells in the imagination, which seems infinite; it looks upon its body as a sour piece of flesh with its own pitiable destiny.

The New Yorker

And he repeated it all — about being detached, about recollecting in tranquillity — everything that Mother and his friends in England understood and Naina didn't.

The New Yorker

Ruhl, recollecting her father's last days, said, "He'd be making jokes about having radioactive urine.

The New Yorker

Writer went home and looked over his Commencement program, which he had saved, recollecting things about the various students he had known.

The New Yorker

I spent a lot of time researching and recollecting my own experience, but also gathering experience from old friends whom I located who were also witnesses to the gentrification of this neighborhood.

The New Yorker

His speech rambles in many directions, recollecting events of his past.

The New Yorker

She imagines that what she feels is like what a freezing person experiences, recollecting the snow: "First — Chill — then Stupor — then the letting go".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recollecting", ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being remembered. Providing specific details or framing the memory can enhance clarity and engagement for the reader.

Common error

Avoid shifting tenses when describing the act of "recollecting". Maintain a consistent past tense to ensure clarity and avoid confusing the reader about the timeline of events.

Linguistic Context

Recollecting functions primarily as a present participle or gerund, describing the ongoing act of remembering or recalling something. Ludwig AI provides examples where it appears in narrative contexts, illustrating the act of bringing past events or information into present awareness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Recollecting is a versatile term used to describe the act of bringing memories or information back to mind. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the term is grammatically sound and frequently used across various contexts, including news, encyclopedias, and scientific publications. The term is particularly useful in narratives and reflective writing. While synonyms like "remembering" and "recalling" exist, "recollecting" often implies a more deliberate and thoughtful process. Understanding its nuances and potential for tense inconsistencies is key to effective writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remembering

Focuses on the act of bringing something back to mind; a direct synonym.

recalling

Emphasizes the effort to bring back a memory, often from a more distant past.

thinking back

Suggests a reflective process of bringing past events to mind.

calling to mind

Highlights the active retrieval of a specific memory or piece of information.

reminiscing

Implies a pleasant, often nostalgic, remembering of past events.

evoking memories

Focuses on the act of bringing memories to the forefront, either consciously or unconsciously.

retrieving memories

Highlights the process of accessing specific stored memories.

summoning to memory

Suggests a deliberate and forceful act of recalling something.

bringing to remembrance

Emphasizes the act of making someone remember something specific.

calling up

Implies retrieving a memory as if from a storage place.

FAQs

How can I use "recollecting" in a sentence?

You can use "recollecting" to describe the act of remembering something. For example, "She spent the afternoon "recollecting" her childhood adventures".

What's a good substitute for the word "recollecting"?

Alternatives to "recollecting" include "remembering", "recalling", or "thinking back", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "recollecting" or "remembering"?

"Recollecting" and "remembering" are often interchangeable, but "recollecting" can imply a more deliberate effort to bring something to mind, while "remembering" is more general.

What is the difference between "recollecting" and "reminiscing"?

"Recollecting" refers to the general act of remembering. "Reminiscing" specifically implies fondly remembering past events, often with a sense of nostalgia.