recollections

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recollections" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to memories or the act of remembering past events. Example: "Her recollections of childhood summers spent at the beach were filled with joy and nostalgia."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He says that it is perfectly possible for people to hold different recollections of an event.

The Guardian

Spero recycled the anguished outpourings by the poet Antonin Artaud: terrified recollections of electric shock therapy, crazed railings against God and the universe, delirious streams of obscene "fecal poetry".

The Guardian - Arts

The chateau at Saint-Maurice de Reméns, central to his idyllic recollections of childhood, will become the seat of an international foundation to complement another institute in Paris and a rash of renamed avenues, schools and public buildings.

The Guardian - Books

The man behind The Vicar Of Dibley and Four Weddings And A Funeral and I swapped recollections about a tiny notion he and a charity worker called Jane Tewson hatched a decade ago.

The Guardian

Knausgaard makes several mentions of his poor memory during the course of the thousands of pages of precisely rendered recollections.

The Guardian - Books

Barlow, the nurse practitioner, and Carolyn Rasmussen, a counsellor and case manager, hear recollections of watching sunburst explosions, sweeping ash from porches and watching relatives die.

The Guardian - Film

And so begins Mike Tyson's recollections of one of the most famous upsets in the history of sport.

The Guardian - Sport

He genuinely thinks two people had different recollections.

The Guardian

While all of this may be true, it's an analysis that is at odds with the empassioned recollections of Portuendo, or Gold's explanation of how this "artificial creation" came about.

The Guardian - Music

Pat replies that it would be inappropriate to spend the money on "personal adornment"; he will send it to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People instead.There are recollections of a childhood growing up poor in a single-parent family in New York, collecting cents on coke bottles.

The Economist

There might be a novel in his recollections of a freezing low-rent boarding school, particularly dealing with homoeroticism and religion.Mr Wainaina is not helped by poor editing, with many repetitions.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recollections" to add a touch of formality or depth when discussing memories, especially in written or spoken narratives.

Common error

Avoid using "recollections" when you are actually referring to assumptions or speculations about the past, not actual remembered events.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "recollections" is as a plural noun. Ludwig AI confirms that "recollections" functions as the subject or object of a sentence, referring to multiple instances of remembered experiences. For example, "terrified recollections of electric shock therapy".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Encyclopedias

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recollections" is a grammatically sound and frequently used plural noun, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it accurately denotes the act of remembering or the memories themselves. It appears predominantly in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science sources. Remember to reserve "recollections" for actual remembered events, avoiding its misuse for assumptions. Alternatives such as "memories" or "remembrances" can provide nuanced variations in meaning. "Recollections" is a valuable tool for enriching descriptions of past events and personal narratives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Memories

A direct synonym, focusing on the content of what is remembered.

Remembrances

Similar to memories, but with a slightly more formal or nostalgic tone.

Reminiscences

Suggests a more reflective and often spoken or written account of past experiences.

Recollected memories

Emphasizes the act of bringing memories back to consciousness.

Past experiences

A broader term that encompasses all events and feelings from the past.

Fond memories

Specifies that the memories are pleasant and cherished.

Personal accounts

Focuses on individual narratives and experiences from the past.

Historical accounts

Refers to documented or recorded events from the past.

Autobiographical accounts

Highlights the aspect of being directly related to someone's life story.

Anecdotes

Indicates short, interesting stories about real incidents or people.

FAQs

How can I use "recollections" in a sentence?

You can use "recollections" to refer to memories or past events, such as: "Her recollections of the war were vivid and disturbing." or "The book is a compilation of his recollections of his childhood."

What are some synonyms for "recollections"?

Some synonyms for "recollections" include "memories", "remembrances", and "reminiscences". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "recollections" formal or informal?

"Recollections" tends to be more formal than the word "memories". It's often used in writing or in more formal speech.

What's the difference between "recollections" and "memories"?

While both refer to past experiences, "recollections" often implies a more deliberate act of remembering, while "memories" can be more general and passive.