reminisce on

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "reminisce on" is not correct in standard written English; the correct form is "reminisce about." You can use "reminisce about" when discussing memories or past experiences in a reflective or nostalgic manner.
Example: "During our reunion, we took some time to reminisce about our college days and the fun we had together."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

As with every emotion, this great sadness will also subside, though it is perfectly normal to fondly reminisce on your loved one and feel deeply sad, even years later.

WikiHow

"Lemonade" is a short film that caused me to get on a rollercoaster ride, one that made me reminisce on moments in my life that each "chapter" spoke to.

Huffington Post

It also was an occasion to reminisce on the early studies that Abe Guz and John Widdicombe did on the vagus nerves, particularly one in which John was a subject undergoing anaesthetic blockade of these nerves at the base of the skull [ 8].

Cough

The Cosby Sweater Project Reminisce on your favorite episodes of "The Cosby Show".

The New York Times

Two writers reminisce on early influential experiences: Maile Meloy on reading and Dave Eggers on writing.

The New Yorker

David Cameron's speech last week compelled me to reminisce on my childhood years at the local Madrassa.

Independent

In latter years, the billionaire would reminisce on television about his friendship with Nancy Reagan, rebel days forgotten.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

One additional question about reminiscence concerns the question whether an item reminisced on a later test is less likely to be accurate than an item reminisced on an earlier test.

Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications

In one FGD an older man offered a poem, reminiscing on a life well spent, and the importance of a peaceful soul and a settled mind.

Global Health Action

In the above video, the couple reminisces on how and they wrote letters back and forth to one another almost every day.

Huffington Post

The veteran politician reminisces on his personal and professional life.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "reminisce on" appears frequently, especially in informal contexts, prioritize using "reminisce about" in formal writing to adhere to standard grammatical conventions.

Common error

The verb "reminisce" takes the preposition "about". Avoid substituting with other prepositions like "on", which is a common but incorrect usage. Stick to "reminisce about" for grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "reminisce on" functions as a verb phrase where "reminisce" is the main verb, and "on" acts as a preposition, though grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI points out the standard form is "reminisce about".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

15%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "reminisce on" is frequently encountered, particularly in news and media contexts, it's crucial to recognize that standard English grammar dictates the use of "reminisce about". Ludwig AI emphasizes this distinction, advising against "reminisce on" in formal writing. Despite its common occurrence, prioritizing grammatical correctness will enhance the clarity and credibility of your writing. In less formal settings, the choice may depend on the specific audience and context, but "reminisce about" remains the preferred option for broad applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reminisce about

The correct and standard phrasing according to grammatical conventions.

reflect on

Focuses more on thoughtful consideration and analysis of the past.

look back on

Emphasizes the act of reviewing past events from a current perspective.

think back on

Highlights the mental process of recalling past events.

call to mind

Implies bringing a memory or image into conscious awareness.

dwell on the past

Suggests a prolonged focus on past events, possibly with emotional weight.

muse over

Indicates a quiet, contemplative reflection on past events.

recollect

Refers to the act of remembering or recalling something.

remember

A general term for bringing something from the past into your mind.

cherish memories of

Emphasizes the positive emotional connection to past experiences.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "reminisce on"?

No, the grammatically correct phrase is "reminisce about". While "reminisce on" is sometimes used, it's not considered standard English.

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

Although "reminisce on" is used, "reminisce about" is the standard and grammatically correct form. Therefore, use "reminisce about" in formal writing.

What can I use instead of "reminisce on"?

Use "reminisce about". Depending on the context, you could also use "reflect on" or "look back on".

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

You can use "reminisce about" to describe thinking or talking about pleasant past experiences. For example, "We often reminisce about our childhood summers spent at the beach."