reminiscent

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'reminiscent' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that reminds you of something in the past. Example sentence: The smell of fresh rain on the pavement was reminiscent of my childhood.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Katherine Murphy, the chief executive of the Patients Association, said the alleged ill-treatment of patients was "horrific" and reminiscent of the Mid Staffordshire scandal.

The Guardian

They are reminiscent of power of words used in the King James version of the Bible.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is shady practice and reminiscent of the car parking wheel clampers a few years ago.

The Guardian - Money

Fortunately there is an abundance of talent in the parliamentary party capable of ensuring that if this election has been reminiscent of 1992, the next election will recall the one that followed 1992.

The Guardian - Opinion

Tighe's lament was echoed by others in Ross, Skye and Lochaber, a sadness reminiscent of that which followed the surprise death of the Labour leader John Smith in 1994.

The Guardian

It is reminiscent of tuberculosis sanatoria built in Victorian times well away from cities, both to give the patients the benefits of nature and to protect everybody else from infection.

The Guardian

The adulation and flag-waving frenzy is reminiscent of early Blair-steria.

The Guardian - Film

It was a little reminiscent of that scene in The Godfather when Al Pacino leaves a "mediation" meeting with his father's would-be killers to go to the lavatory in an Italian restaurant in New York chosen for peace talks aimed at averting an all out war.

The Guardian

For connoisseurs of such cock-ups, the misattribution will perhaps be most reminiscent of East Germany's 1956 blunder in issuing a Robert Schumann stamp with a score in the background that happened to be by Schubert.

The Guardian - Books

The queues outside Easington Colliery Club were reminiscent of those lining up for broth and bread 29 years ago during the miners' strike.

The Guardian

Porte was quick to tweet his thanks: The generous was reminiscent of some of the greatest moments in the sport's rich history – Rene Vietto sitting on a wall in tears at the 1934 Tour de France after surrendering a wheel to his detested team leader, Antonin Magne, and watching his own dreams of victory ride away from him up the road.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "reminiscent", ensure that the connection to the past is clear and relevant to the overall message to enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "reminiscent" if the connection to the past is vague or unclear. Overusing it without proper context can make your writing seem pretentious or confusing.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "reminiscent" is as a predicate adjective. As supported by Ludwig, it describes a noun by suggesting a resemblance or evocation of something else. For example, "The scene was reminiscent of a dream."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "reminiscent" is frequently employed to draw comparisons and connections to past events, experiences, or qualities. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in a variety of writing contexts. It is especially prevalent in news and media, as well as formal and scientific writing, where its descriptive power adds depth and nuance. The phrase, as the examples confirm, serves to evoke memories and create a sense of familiarity, while it's important to ensure that the context is clear to avoid confusion. Alternative phrases like "suggestive of" and "evocative of" can provide similar meanings with slightly altered emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suggestive of

This alternative focuses on the quality of hinting at something.

evocative of

This option highlights the power to bring strong images, memories, or feelings to mind.

redolent of

This phrase emphasizes a strong scent or quality that recalls something.

similar to

This is a more general way of pointing out resemblances.

comparable to

This alternative underlines that two things can be measured against each other.

calling to mind

This variant focuses on the act of remembering or thinking about something.

bringing to mind

This alternative is a more verbose and active way of expressing that something reminds you of something else.

akin to

This option indicates a similarity in quality or character.

echoing

This variant emphasizes a similarity that is repeated or reflected.

bearing resemblance to

This is a formal way of saying that something looks like something else.

FAQs

How can I use "reminiscent" in a sentence?

You can use "reminiscent" to describe something that reminds you of something else. For example, "The melody was "reminiscent of" a song from my childhood."

What are some alternatives to using "reminiscent"?

Some alternatives to "reminiscent" include "suggestive of", "evocative of", or "redolent of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "reminiscent" in formal writing?

Yes, "reminiscent" is appropriate for formal writing. It adds a layer of sophistication when drawing comparisons to past events or experiences.

What is the difference between "reminiscent" and "similar"?

"Reminiscent" implies a feeling or memory is evoked, while "similar to" simply indicates a resemblance in appearance or characteristics. "Reminiscent" has a stronger connection to past experiences.