retentive memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"retentive memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is able to remember things easily, or someone who has a particularly good memory. For example: "He had a retentive memory, so he was able to remember all the facts the teacher provided in class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

We never ceased to be impressed by his encyclopedic mind and retentive memory.

The New Yorker

"Time has not yet served to efface your blonde handsomeness from my retentive memory, old keed".

The Guardian - Books

He made up for this deficiency by the careful study of documents, by an extraordinarily retentive memory, and by being a shrewd judge of character.

Encyclopedia Britannica

As an unabashed "'swot" (the common term before "nerd" appeared) with a retentive memory and a serious reading habit, this was my territory.

Independent

This retentive memory was a gift that came in handy when he became an actor and had to learn reams of dialogue.

Independent

Certainly some qualities of mind popularly associated with so-called high-functioning autism — focus, computational ability, a retentive memory, a preference for rational argument over feeling — are useful in most academic fields.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Almost as good are Miss Francis, as a tennis champ, and Clarke Gordon, as her father with keenly retentive memories of Corregidor.

The New York Times

In some cases prodigies are both born and made; they can be born with retentive memories and a quality of mind that enables them to relate and organize experiences, and they can be made in the sense that they receive opportunities and rewards of special practice, instruction, or training.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Relationships are essentially dependent on our abstraction and memory retentive nature of the mind and body.

WikiHow

Jay has an anomalous memory, extraordinarily retentive but riddled with hard-to-account-for gaps.

The New Yorker

His knowledge of the old medical and surgical writers was very great, and his memory so retentive that it was easy for him to quote their views and statements in support of his positions" [ 41].

Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone's ability to learn lines for a play or speech quickly, "retentive memory" is a fitting and impressive phrase to use.

Common error

Avoid using "retentive memory" when you simply mean someone remembers a specific event well. "Retentive memory" refers to a general capacity for remembering, not a single, vivid recollection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "retentive memory" functions as a noun phrase, where "retentive" modifies the noun "memory". It describes a specific quality or characteristic of memory. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retentive memory" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe someone's ability to easily remember information. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in written English. It appears most frequently in News & Media, Academic, and Science contexts. While alternatives exist, such as "photographic memory", "exceptional memory", or "remarkable memory", each carries subtle differences in meaning. When using "retentive memory", ensure it accurately reflects a general capacity for remembering, rather than a single vivid recollection. Use it to describe those who can readily recall information from various sources, making it a useful phrase when discussing learning and recall capabilities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

photographic memory

Implies an ability to recall images with near-perfect accuracy, going beyond simple retention.

exceptional memory

Emphasizes the outstanding quality of the memory, without necessarily focusing on the retention aspect.

remarkable memory

Similar to 'exceptional memory', it highlights how noteworthy the memory is.

unforgettable memory

This phrase describes a memory that is so impactful that it is difficult to forget, not a memory that is good at retaining information.

long-term memory

Focuses on the duration of memory storage rather than the ability to easily recall information.

impressive memory

Highlights the admiration or respect the memory elicits due to its capacity or accuracy.

strong memory

Suggests a memory that is both reliable and effective at storing and recalling information.

good memory

A general term for having better than average recall abilities.

excellent recall

Shifts the focus to the act of remembering, emphasizing the efficiency and accuracy of retrieving information.

eidetic memory

Similar to 'photographic memory', refers to the ability to vividly recall images or information after only brief exposure.

FAQs

What does "retentive memory" mean?

"Retentive memory" refers to the ability to easily remember things or retain information. It describes a capacity for remembering, rather than just remembering a single event.

What's a good way to use "retentive memory" in a sentence?

You can say, "He has a "retentive memory", which allows him to recall details from years ago".

Is it correct to say someone has a "retentive memory"?

Yes, it's grammatically correct and widely accepted. According to Ludwig AI, "retentive memory" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe someone who is able to remember things easily, or someone who has a particularly good memory.

What are some alternatives to "retentive memory"?

Alternatives include "photographic memory", "exceptional memory", or "remarkable memory" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.