refresh a memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refresh a memory" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to help someone remember something or to prompt them to recall a specific piece of information. Example: "To help you understand the topic better, let me refresh your memory about the key points we discussed last week."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

That said, Pergolesi's "Se tu m'ami" refreshed a listener's memory of the sweeter and deeper side of Ms. Gens's tone, and she brought some attractive ornamentation to "Mio caro bene" from Handel's "Rodelinda".

The New York Times - Arts

Zoe Saldana, who starred in "Avatar" and "Nina," reads Ms. McPhee's essay, "Refreshing a Mother's Memory With Love and Stories". Ms. Saldana is the voice actor for the character Adelina Fortnight in the animated movie, "Missing Link," in theaters April 12.

The New York Times - Style

For those who've somehow forgotten the premise of this cinematic masterpiece (the audacity!), allow me to refresh your memory: A young girl named Casey attempts a spell to bring her mother back from the dead, but ends up bringing her doll, Eve, to life instead.

Vice

Supercuts are a place to refresh your memory of a film that was watched maybe years ago, to relive memorable moments and avoid paying the twentysomething dollars it costs to go to the movies with someone now.

Vice

I usually rely on a reference to refresh my memory about a detail of this or that life cycle or to reinforce a grant application with the number of those afflicted across the globe.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

If you want to refresh your memory a little bit, click here.

TechCrunch

When reading written texts or analyzing visual objects, students can move back and forth between different elements and can look back and refresh their memory on a point or a detail that has already been covered.

Yale University

"Now and again, between balls that call for no action, he will play an imaginary drive as if to refresh his memory of a stroke that might otherwise be forgotten".

The Guardian - Sport

Bugatti, to refresh your memory, was a bigger deal in its day than Rolls-Royce.

Forbes

Good thing we launched the CrunchBase widget, because you may need it to refresh your memory about a certain social networking company called Friendster that's announcing its own developer platform today (okay okay, to be fair, they do have 50 million users and are very popular in Asia).

TechCrunch

Jackson, to refresh your memory, was a military hero in the War of 1812, which he parlayed into a political career.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refresh a memory", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific information needs to be recalled. This avoids ambiguity and ensures the listener or reader understands the intended scope of the reminder.

Common error

While "refresh a memory" is generally acceptable, overuse in formal writing can make the text sound repetitive. Opt for synonyms like "recap", "summarize", or "reiterate" to add variety and maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refresh a memory" functions primarily as a verb phrase used transitively. It signifies the act of reminding someone or oneself of specific information or details to aid recall. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Missing

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refresh a memory" is a grammatically sound way to describe the act of reminding someone of something. Although the example count is missing, Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It functions as a verb phrase used to facilitate recall. While versatile, be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts; consider using synonyms such as "recap" or "summarize" to maintain variety. The phrase holds a neutral register, suitable for diverse communication scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jog someone's memory

Uses a more informal verb to suggest prompting recollection.

remind someone

A more direct and simple way to prompt recollection.

prompt recollection

Focuses on the act of bringing back a memory.

rekindle a memory

Suggests reviving a fading or lost memory.

call something to mind

Emphasizes the act of bringing a specific detail to consciousness.

bring something to remembrance

A more formal and literary way to express remembering.

brush up on something

Focuses on reviewing or revising something already known.

reactivate a memory

Suggests making a dormant memory active again.

reawaken a memory

Similar to rekindle, but with a slightly stronger emphasis on bringing back something that was dormant.

stimulate recall

Highlights the process of encouraging the brain to remember.

FAQs

How can I use "refresh a memory" in a sentence?

You can use "refresh a memory" to indicate reminding someone of something. For example: "To help you understand the topic better, let me "refresh a memory" about the key points we discussed last week."

What are some alternatives to "refresh a memory"?

Alternatives include "jog someone's memory", "remind someone", or "prompt recollection".

Is "refresh a memory" formal or informal?

"Refresh a memory" is generally considered neutral in formality. While acceptable in many contexts, more formal synonyms may be preferable in academic or professional writing.

What's the difference between "refresh a memory" and "remind someone"?

"Remind someone" is a more direct way to prompt recollection. "Refresh a memory" implies providing additional context or details to aid recall, whereas "remind someone" simply means bringing something to their attention.