recollective

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recollective" is not commonly used in written English and may not be widely recognized.
It can be used in contexts related to memory or the act of recalling past experiences, but it may sound awkward or unclear to some readers. Example: "Her recollective memories of childhood brought a smile to her face as she reminisced about the past."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

It is based on a recollective conversation that took place between Malraux and General de Gaulle during a luncheon and a long afternoon on Dec. 11, 1969, in de Gaulle's country residence at Colombey.

The New Yorker

"You may need a prompt to start the recollective search," he said.

The New York Times

Throughout, the lyrics are oddly imprecise – every sentence begins with "I must have … " or "I'm pretty sure … " – and it's this vague recollective tone that gives her account a tinge of unreality, even fiction.

The Guardian - Music

After reading the depression study and considering the league's issues with recollective survey research, Dr. John Whyte, the director of the Moss Rehabilitation Research Institute in Philadelphia and an expert in neurological research methodology, said he did not share the league's criticisms.

The New York Times

The first thing to be generated in its state of attachment is a corporeal faculty, then a natural form, then a sensing soul in its levels, then the reflective and recollective, and finally the rational soul.

SEP

William Brewer defines recollective episodic memory in similar terms, as a 'reliving' of the individual's phenomenal experience from a specific moment in their past, accompanied by a belief that the remembered episode was personally experienced by the individual in their past (1996, pp. 60 61).

SEP

Martin and Deutscher (1966), developing a causal theory of memory, argued that the past experience itself must have been causally operative in producing (intervening) states which are in turn causally operative in producing the present recollective experience.

SEP

Because of their vigor, the spirits are likely to overflow to nearby, related traces of objects (association is here understood in terms of the proximity of brain traces), which then come along for the recollective ride.

SEP

Bergson (1908/1991) and Russell (1921) distinguished 'recollective memory' from 'habit memory', while Broad (1925) and Furlong (1948) further distinguished recollective memory from 'propositional memory'.

SEP

'Recollective memory' is 'episodic memory', also sometimes called 'personal memory'experientialial memory', or 'direct memory' by philosophers: this is memory for experienced events and episodes, such as a conversation this morning or the death of a friend eight years ago.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "recollective", ensure the context clearly relates to memory or the act of recalling. If the intended meaning is broader, consider alternatives like "reflective" or "reminiscent" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "recollective" when simpler terms like "remembering" or "recalling" would suffice. Overusing "recollective" can make your writing sound stilted or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "recollective" primarily functions to describe something that pertains to or is characterized by recollection. It modifies nouns to indicate a quality related to memory or the act of remembering. As Ludwig indicates, it is grammatically correct, though perhaps less commonly used than alternatives.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

60%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recollective" is an adjective pertaining to recollection, as highlighted by Ludwig. While grammatically sound, Ludwig's AI suggests that it isn't as frequently used as alternatives like "reflective" or "reminiscent". It appears most commonly in News & Media and Science contexts. When using "recollective", ensure it clearly conveys the intended meaning related to memory or recall, and consider whether a more common alternative might enhance clarity. The available examples on Ludwig provide valuable context for understanding its application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remembering

A more direct and common term for recalling information or experiences, differing in its simplicity.

recalling

A more active verb form of remembering, differing in its emphasis on the process of retrieval.

reflective

Emphasizes thoughtful consideration of past events, differing in its broader application to thinking.

reminiscent

Suggests a similarity to something past, differing in that it often evokes a feeling or memory.

nostalgic

Expresses a sentimental longing for the past, differing in its emotional tone.

remembrance

Focuses on the act of remembering, differing by being a noun rather than an adjective.

evocative

Highlights the power to bring strong images, memories, or feelings to mind, differing in its emphasis on emotional impact.

retrospective

Looks back on the past, differing in its suggestion of a comprehensive review.

memorial

Relates to preserving the memory of a person or event, differing in its specific focus on commemoration.

mnemonic

Pertains to aiding memory, differing in its focus on techniques or devices for recall.

FAQs

How can I use "recollective" in a sentence?

You can use "recollective" to describe something related to the act of recalling memories, such as "a "recollective mood"" or "recollective memories".

What are some alternatives to "recollective"?

Alternatives to "recollective" include "reflective", "reminiscent", or "nostalgic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "recollective" a commonly used word?

While grammatically correct, "recollective" is not as commonly used as other words like "remembering" or "reflective". Its usage might be perceived as somewhat formal or uncommon.

What is the difference between "recollective" and "reflective"?

"Recollective" specifically relates to the act of recalling memories, while "reflective" has a broader sense of thoughtful consideration, not necessarily tied to specific memories.