reminisce about

USAGE SUMMARY

"reminisce about" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to talk about recalling memories from the past, usually fondly or nostalgically. Example: I like to spend a few minutes each day to reminisce about my childhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In addition, we found drugs were sometimes used to reminisce about happier times.

BMC Psychiatry

They reminisce about the daughter's childhood.

The New Yorker

Reminisce about my fascinating childhood.

The Guardian

We often reminisce about our college days.

Columbia University

We'd reminisce about the boom days.

The New York Times

This is comfort food people reminisce about.

The New York Times - Food

People reminisce about that the most".

The New York Times

At gatherings with teammates, do they reminisce about it?

The New York Times - Sports

He is carefully dressed, and ready to reminisce about Annelise.

The New Yorker

There he listed to Al reminisce about Marilyn.

The New Yorker

It was great to reminisce about some of those moments.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "reminisce about" when you want to evoke a sense of nostalgia or fond recollection of past events. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While "reminisce about" is perfectly acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "look back on" or "reflect on" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reminisce about" is as a phrasal verb, serving as the predicate of a sentence or clause. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it describes the act of recalling past experiences in a thoughtful or sentimental way.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Wiki

16%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "reminisce about" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrasal verb that expresses a nostalgic recollection of past events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate for a variety of contexts, but consider synonyms like "look back on" or "reflect on" for varied expression. Its usage is primarily found in News & Media sources. Remember to use it when the tone is positive or sentimental; otherwise, opt for alternative phrases. With its prevalence across various sources, "reminisce about" remains a reliable choice for expressing fond memories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reflect on

Suggests a deeper, more thoughtful consideration of the past.

look back on

Emphasizes reflection on past events or experiences.

wax nostalgic about

Implies a sentimental or idealized view of the past.

think back to

Focuses on recalling specific moments or periods in the past.

recall

A more formal term for remembering.

recollect

A slightly more formal synonym for remember or recall.

remember

A general term for bringing something to mind.

call to mind

Evokes the act of consciously bringing something from the past into one's thoughts.

muse over

Suggests quiet contemplation about something in the past.

bethink oneself of

An archaic or literary way of saying to remember.

FAQs

How can I use "reminisce about" in a sentence?

You can use "reminisce about" to describe recalling past experiences, such as "We like to "reminisce about" our childhood summers together".

What's a good alternative to "reminisce about"?

Alternatives include "look back on", "think back to", or "reflect on", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "reminisce about"?

While generally correct, avoid using "reminisce about" when the memory is negative or traumatic. In those cases, phrases like "dwell on" or "brood over" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "reminisce about" and "remember"?

"Remember" is a general term for recalling something. "Reminisce about" implies a more fond, nostalgic, and often shared recollection of past events. For example, you remember an event, but you "reminisce about" a cherished time.