remember when

USAGE SUMMARY

"remember when" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to a specific event or time in the past. For example, "Remember when we went to the amusement park last summer?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Remember when?

The New York Times

Remember when that happened?

Independent

'I remember when you played.

The New York Times

"Remember when Optik was shot?

The New Yorker

Remember when Gmail came out?

The New York Times - Tech

Remember when… Georgia beat Tonga?

Independent

Remember when Britain was Great?

Independent

Remember when Google went public?

The New York Times - Tech

Remember when Alabama seemed vulnerable?

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

But remember- when all else fails.

WikiHow

"…remember when we snorkeled that shipwreck?

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "remember when" to initiate a conversation about shared experiences or to evoke a sense of nostalgia. It's most effective when used with people who share the same memories.

Common error

Avoid using "remember when" in formal or academic writing where a more objective or analytical tone is required. It is typically better suited for conversational or narrative contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remember when" functions primarily as an interrogative phrase used to prompt recollection of a past event or period. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It invites shared reminiscence and can initiate conversation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

25%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remember when" is a very common and grammatically correct interrogative phrase used to prompt memories of past events. As Ludwig AI highlights, it serves to invite shared reminiscence and spark conversations, primarily in informal contexts such as news media, wikis, and encyclopedias. While generally appropriate for casual exchanges, it should be used cautiously in more formal writing. Alternatives such as "do you recall when" or "can you reminisce about the time when" may be more suitable for professional or academic settings. In essence, "remember when" is a potent tool for evoking nostalgia and fostering connection through shared memories, but its use should be guided by an awareness of context and audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

do you recall when

Replaces "remember" with "recall", creating a slightly more formal tone.

do you recollect when

Similar to "recall when", but slightly less common.

can you think back to when

Emphasizes the act of mentally returning to a past time.

back when

A more concise way to refer to a past time.

do you reminisce about the time when

Uses "reminisce" to emphasize the nostalgic aspect of remembering.

in those days

Refers to a specific period in the past.

do you have any memories of when

Focuses on the existence of memories related to a particular time.

what do you remember about when

Transforms the phrase into a direct question about specific memories.

how about the time when

Offers a more casual way to prompt someone's memory.

those were the days when

Evokes a sense of nostalgia, often used to idealize the past.

FAQs

How can I use "remember when" in a sentence?

You can use "remember when" to start a question about a past event, like "Remember when we first met?" or "Remember when that song was popular?" It's often used to initiate a conversation about shared memories.

What's a more formal alternative to "remember when"?

In more formal settings, you might use phrases like "do you recall when...?" or "can you recollect the time when...?" These alternatives, like "do you recall when", maintain a similar meaning but sound more professional.

Is it appropriate to use "remember when" in business communication?

Generally, "remember when" is too informal for most business communication. However, it could be appropriate in internal communications among long-time colleagues to build rapport, but use it sparingly.

What's the difference between "remember when" and "I remember when"?

"Remember when" is typically used as a question to prompt someone else's memory, while "I remember when" is a statement expressing your own recollection. For example, "Remember when we went to that concert?" versus "I remember when that concert was announced."