revive the memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'revive the memory of' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in a sentence when you want to refer to the act of bringing back a particular memory or set of memories after time has made them fade. For example, "The smell of baking bread always revives the memory of my grandmother's kitchen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Hollywood's legendary semi-recovering dosh addict is back; Oliver Stone has chosen this moment to revive the memory of pop culture's most famous banker.

The Guardian - Film

Neither museum makes mention of Nat Turner in its exhibits, however, and the sword is locked away, out of public view.... James Magee, however, is determined to revive the memory of Nat Turner.

The New Yorker

Without Assad, what is Berri going to do?" One option, in a battle for the hearts and minds of the Shiite community, might be to revive the memory of Lebanon's missing imam, revered by both Amal and Hizbollah.

The New York Times

"Gangs of New York" may have helped to revive the memory of Five Points, the notorious 19th-century slum in Lower Manhattan, but no one probably considered it the stuff of song and dance — until Larry Kirwan, the novelist, playwright and, not incidentally, leader of the rock band Black 47.

The New York Times

The designers sought to revive the memory of the area by demolishing modern buildings and insulating the remaining buildings against extreme heat with traditional methods using locally sourced wood and bamboo imported from Asia.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

"But it's not going to happen because it will simply revive the memories of how terrible Mao's last years were and that is what Xi Jinping doesn't want".

The Guardian

They can play a useful role in warning overenthusiastic market participants, and reviving the memory of past excesses.

The Guardian - Books

Nell also singlehandedly revived the memory of "the first martyr of the American Revolution," Crispus Attucks, killed by the British in the 1770 Boston Massacre.

The New York Times

Trump recently turned his fire on Hillary Clinton, calling himself "her worst nightmare" and reviving the memory of her husband's infidelity during his time in the Oval Office.

The Guardian

Pablo Larraín is a Chilean director whose feature Tony Manero (2007) revived the memory of John Travolta and Saturday Night Fever in the most unexpected of contexts.

The Guardian - Film

He restored the tradition of military parades and rode at their head; he instituted popular reforms in the army; and he spoke out in chauvinistic fashion against the Germans, thus reviving the memory of 1871 and the lost provinces.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "revive the memory of", consider the emotional tone you wish to convey. This phrase can evoke nostalgia, respect, or even regret, depending on the context.

Common error

Avoid using "revive the memory of" when you simply mean to reminisce about something. "Revive" suggests bringing something back that was fading, while "reminisce" implies a fond remembering.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "revive the memory of" functions primarily as a verb phrase. It describes the action of bringing back or restoring a memory that has faded or is in danger of being forgotten. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts ranging from film reviews to historical events.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "revive the memory of" is used to describe the act of bringing back a forgotten or fading memory to the forefront. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct, though relatively rare in occurrence. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts. The phrase has a neutral to formal register, making it suitable for academic, professional, and journalistic writing. When employing "revive the memory of", writers should consider the desired emotional tone, which can range from nostalgic to respectful. While its usage is valid, carefully consider other options if a slightly different nuance is desired. Finally, be sure not to confuse this phrase with “reminisce about”, which implies a fondness in recalling past events rather than actively trying to bring back a fading memory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rekindle the remembrance of

Replaces "memory" with "remembrance" and "revive" with "rekindle", emphasizing a restoration of feelings or affection.

resurrect the recollection of

Uses "resurrect" instead of "revive", giving a sense of bringing something back from near oblivion; "recollection" highlights a personal act of remembering.

reawaken the echoes of

Employs a more metaphorical approach, replacing "memory" with "echoes", suggesting faint or indirect reminders.

bring back the remembrance of

A more straightforward alternative, focusing on the act of returning a past memory to consciousness.

call to mind the legacy of

Shifts the focus to "legacy", emphasizing the lasting impact or contribution of someone or something rather than the general act of remembering.

evoke the recollection of

Uses "evoke" instead of "revive", highlighting the power of suggestion or stimulus to bring forth the memory.

reanimate the remembrance of

Similar to 'resurrect', 'reanimate' suggests bringing something back to life, though 'remembrance' adds a sentimental layer.

restore the reputation of

Focuses on reinstating a positive image or standing, differing from simply recalling a memory.

reinstate the legacy of

Emphasis on bringing something back into a former condition that holds importance.

re-establish the image of

Highlights re-creating or solidifying a mental picture, which might involve some interpretation or adjustment, and the focus on creating a clear mental picture or impression.

FAQs

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

You can use "revive the memory of" to describe bringing back a forgotten person, event, or idea. For instance, "The documentary aimed to "revive the memory of" a forgotten civil rights leader".

What are some alternatives to "revive the memory of"?

Some alternatives include "rekindle the remembrance of", "resurrect the recollection of", or "bring back the remembrance of", depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "revive the memory of" in formal writing?

Yes, "revive the memory of" is suitable for formal writing, especially when discussing historical events, biographies, or cultural legacies. Its formality aligns well with academic and professional contexts.

What is the difference between ""revive the memory of"" and "reminisce about"?

"Revive the memory of" implies bringing something back into attention that was fading or forgotten. "Reminisce about", on the other hand, means to fondly recall or think about past events, often in a sentimental way.