refresh your memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'refresh your memory' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used when reminding someone of something that they haven't thought about in a while or might have forgotten. For example, "I know it's been a few years since high school, so let me refresh your memory about the soccer tournament we won in our senior year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

(If not, refresh your memory).

The New Yorker

Let me refresh your memory.

The New Yorker

"Perhaps this will refresh your memory".

The New Yorker

If you do remember, it will usefully refresh your memory.

The New Yorker

Refresh your memory of Petrograd, Zaire and Genuine Regal China.

The New York Times - Magazine

If that was you, allow us to refresh your memory.

The Guardian

Shall I refresh your memory on the chain of entanglements here?

The New York Times

Refresh your memory with Wikipedia's helpful entry on "fictional books from nonprint media".

The New York Times - Magazine

No? Let us refresh your memory with five days worth of Chatterbox, condensed into one post.

The Guardian - Tech

"When you get back, you can use the tapes to review and refresh your memory.

The New York Times

To refresh your memory: period, comma, hyphen, dash, ellipses, parentheses, and so on.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "refresh your memory" when you want to politely remind someone of something they might have forgotten or need to recall to better understand a current situation.

Common error

While "refresh your memory" is useful, avoid using it excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your language by using synonyms like "remind you" or "jog your memory" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refresh your memory" functions as an idiomatic expression used to prompt someone to recall specific information or events. It's a polite way to suggest that someone may have forgotten something important, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Academic

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "refresh your memory" is a versatile phrase used to gently remind someone of forgotten information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently used in various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Wiki sources. While generally neutral in tone, consider using synonyms like "remind you of" or "jog your memory" to avoid repetition. Remember to provide context when using the phrase to ensure the reminder is relevant and helpful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jog your memory

Uses a more informal, active verb to suggest a slight prompting of memory.

remind you of

A simpler, more direct way to prompt recall.

recollect for you

More formal and emphasizes bringing something back to mind.

help you remember

A straightforward and helpful expression.

bring to your attention again

Formal and highlights a revisiting of information.

call to mind

Evokes a more poetic and gentle prompting of memory.

reiterate for clarity

Stresses the purpose of ensuring clear understanding through repetition.

restate for emphasis

Highlights the act of repeating something important.

review briefly

Suggests a quick overview to aid memory.

update your recollection

Implies that the memory needs to be brought up to date.

FAQs

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

You can use "refresh your memory" to introduce information someone may have forgotten, as in, "To "refresh your memory", we discussed this last week."

What are some alternatives to "refresh your memory"?

Alternatives include "remind you of", "jog your memory", or "help you remember" depending on the context and level of formality.

Is it better to say "refresh your memory" or "jog your memory"?

Both "refresh your memory" and "jog your memory" are correct, but "jog your memory" is more informal. "Refresh your memory" is suitable for most situations.

What does "refresh your memory" mean?

"Refresh your memory" means to remind someone of something they may have forgotten or to provide a reminder of past events or information.