recollection of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recollection of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of remembering or recalling something from the past. Example: "My recollection of that event is quite vivid, and I can still remember the details clearly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Below is the reporter's personal recollection of the young activist.

The New York Times

Recollection of judges.

The New Yorker

He had no recollection of the week.

The New Yorker

Hoving had no recollection of it.

The New Yorker

The recollection of the parties differs markedly.

The New York Times

He has no recollection of that.

The New York Times - Sports

"I have no recollection of you.

The New Yorker

He has exact recollection of the time.

The New York Times - Sports

That squares with Bentley's recollection of Matt.

Independent

I have absolutely no recollection of that.

The Guardian

Here is his recollection of events..

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recollection of", ensure that the subject clearly possesses the ability to remember. For instance, 'His recollection of the events was hazy' is correct, while 'The building's recollection of the fire' is not.

Common error

Avoid using "recollection of" when a more direct term like "memory" or "account" would be more precise. Using it vaguely can dilute the impact of your writing and obscure the specific aspect of remembering you intend to convey.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "recollection of" primarily functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun, indicating the act or process of remembering something. This aligns with Ludwig's examples, which frequently use it to describe someone's memory or account of an event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Science

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "recollection of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used prepositional phrase, as validated by Ludwig. It is typically employed to express the act or process of remembering something from the past. As Ludwig shows, this phrase is widely present across various sources, including News & Media, Science, and Encyclopedias, indicating its versatility. While alternatives like "memory of" or "account of" may sometimes be more appropriate, "recollection of" remains a robust choice when emphasizing the act of recalling specific events or experiences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

memory of

Focuses on the mental faculty of remembering, rather than the act of recalling.

remembrance of

Emphasizes the act of remembering, often with a sense of nostalgia or respect.

reminiscence about

Implies a more informal and reflective recalling of past events.

account of

Suggests a more structured and detailed narrative of a past event.

impression of

Focuses on the subjective feeling or understanding left by an experience.

view of

Highlights a particular perspective or opinion formed based on past events.

perception of

Emphasizes the way something was understood or interpreted at the time.

understanding of

Focuses on the comprehension and knowledge gained from past experiences.

knowledge of

Highlights familiarity or awareness of a specific event or piece of information.

awareness of

Implies a general consciousness or recognition of something.

FAQs

How can I use "recollection of" in a sentence?

You can use "recollection of" to refer to the act of remembering something, like in the sentence "His "recollection of" the events was vivid".

What are some alternatives to "recollection of"?

Some alternatives to "recollection of" include "memory of", "remembrance of", or "account of", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "memory of" or "recollection of"?

Both "memory of" and "recollection of" are correct, but "recollection of" emphasizes the act of actively remembering, while "memory of" refers to the general ability to remember.

What's the difference between "recollection of" and "description of"?

"Recollection of" refers specifically to remembering past events or experiences. "Description of", on the other hand, is a broader term that can refer to portraying anything, whether it's a memory or a current event.