revive a memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "revive a memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of bringing back or recalling a past experience or recollection. Example: "The old photograph helped to revive a memory of our childhood adventures together."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

A smell or sensation can not only unearth or revive a memory that seems to have faded long ago; it can also spark memories that never existed in the first place.

The New York Times

In one respect, the 2016 campaign is a national referendum on the past: How many Americans want to revive a memory of what came before ("Make America Great Again!"), and how many regard our history as a preamble to a richer, more diverse future ("Stronger Together")?

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To the Editor: Adam Kirsch's review revived a memory: Back in 1961, Friedrich A. Hayek was visiting Cornell, and he graciously accepted my invitation to speak to my political economy class.

The New York Times

He is a passionate chronicler of the Africans' resilience, of how they revived a cultural memory that gave life to music and enduring folkways — a memory that would, in the timeless words of an 1819 traveler, "rock the city with their Congo dances".

The New York Times - Books

David Leonhardt's article "How Much Did Your Seat Cost?" [July 20] revived a pleasant memory.

The New York Times

The Cardinals revived a pleasant memory before the series began by beating Scott Feldman of the Chicago Cubs on Thursday.

The New York Times - Sports

Alan Slomson Leeds Former National Extension College colleague Hilary Perraton's letter about the genesis of the Open University revives an old memory.

The Guardian

"The war on Gaza, that resulted in the destruction of some areas in Gaza and the death to over one thousand people, revived a lot of the sad memories of my belated son...I hope that no mother would have to suffer from losing her children".

Huffington Post

A few whiffs of a pillow in the morning can revive memories of a lover.

Science Magazine

Mr. Van Horne, 54, has struggled with a bitter primary, the scars from a skillfully revived memory of a racist slur he made six years ago, and the hope that somehow labor can pull out straight-ticket voting in the Fourth, where there are far fewer union members today than when steel mills flourished.

The New York Times

MEMORY -- How can you revive your memory?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "revive a memory" when you want to emphasize the act of bringing a past experience or feeling back into the present moment. It suggests a sense of rediscovery and renewed awareness.

Common error

While "revive a memory" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "recall an event" or "remember a past experience" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revive a memory" functions as a verb phrase where "revive" acts as a transitive verb taking "a memory" as its object. It describes the action of bringing back a past recollection. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "revive a memory" is a grammatically sound and usable expression that describes the action of bringing back a past recollection. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. While not overly formal, it's versatile enough for various contexts, though alternatives like "recall" or "remember" might be preferred in strictly formal writing. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, often describing how certain events or stimuli can trigger the recall of past experiences. Related phrases include "rekindle a memory" and "bring back a memory", offering subtle variations in meaning. When using "revive a memory", consider the context and desired tone to ensure it effectively conveys the intended message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rekindle a memory

Focuses on reigniting a memory that may have faded, similar to reviving but with an emphasis on warmth or passion.

bring back a memory

A more straightforward and common way to express the act of recalling a past event.

reawaken a memory

Implies that the memory was dormant and is now being brought back to life.

trigger a memory

Highlights the stimulus that caused the memory to resurface.

evoke a memory

Suggests the memory is called forth or summoned from the past.

stir up a memory

Implies that the memory was buried and is now being brought to the surface.

call forth a memory

A more formal way of saying to evoke or summon a memory.

resurrect a memory

A stronger, more dramatic way to describe reviving a memory, implying it was almost lost completely.

recover a memory

Implies the memory was lost or forgotten and has now been found.

recapture a memory

Focuses on regaining something that was once held but is now being relived.

FAQs

How can I use "revive a memory" in a sentence?

You can use "revive a memory" to describe how something triggered a past experience, for example: "The smell of rain can "bring back a memory" of childhood summers".

What can I say instead of "revive a memory"?

You can use alternatives like "rekindle a memory", ""bring back a memory"", or "evoke a memory" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "revive a memory" or "revive the memory"?

"Revive a memory" and "revive the memory" are both grammatically correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Revive a memory" refers to bringing back one specific memory, while "revive the memory" implies bringing back a general or collective memory.

Is "revive a memory" suitable for formal writing?

While acceptable, "revive a memory" might be better replaced with phrases such as "recall a past event" or "remember a previous experience" for a more formal tone.