simply a memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"simply a memory" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe something that is no longer present or relevant, emphasizing its status as just a recollection. For example, "That moment is now simply a memory, fading with time." Alternative expressions include "just a recollection" and "merely a remembrance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

The problem that this suggestion is supposed to solve is that an episodic memory is simply a memory of an event: it represents the event simpliciter, rather than the fact that the event is past.

SEP

You may need a cable, or simply a memory card.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Don't worry, consumers can still order Vizio plasmas on the website if the local store is sold out, but once those are gone, the Vizio plasma will simply be a memory.

TechCrunch

Shrugging off the most shocking of shots, Simpson simply summoned a memory.

The New York Times - Sports

In fact, since in real time the delay consists simply in a memory shift, we have versus sums and versus multiplications for (2.4) and (3.3), respectively.

Advances in Difference Equations

The latter is called the representational effect [6] [8], which is especially puzzling in the sense that it implies that external representations may be more deeply involved in cognitive problem solving than simply providing a memory aid.

Plosone

The reader swaps the active buffer with the passive buffer by simply flipping a memory pointer.

Bioinformatics

But to Labour sceptics and Tory critics, it looked like heavy-handed socialist statecraft – or simply a muscle memory of the "clunking fist", as Tony Blair had once characterised Gordon Brown's crudely effective technique for pounding political points home.

The Guardian

It is the Metropolitan Opera House and the old house is simply a glorious memory of my youth.

Huffington Post

In the ballet's original story, she doesn't appear onstage at all during the final scene; the music makes her simply an inspiring memory, the absent spirit who has changed human lives.

The New York Times - Arts

Deerhoof's continuing challenge is to keep them from becoming predictable: not just alternating loud and soft, but constantly reshuffling tempos and textures, annexing new idioms and, especially in more recent songs, letting melodies breathe before demolishing them, so the music isn't simply a feat of memory and execution.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "simply a memory", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the memory refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "That's simply a memory" without specifying what "that" refers to, as it can make your writing repetitive and unclear. Provide specific details to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "simply a memory" functions as a noun phrase, often used as a predicate nominative or object to describe something that exists only in recollection. Ludwig AI examples confirm its use to denote something past or no longer relevant.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

7%

Academia

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "simply a memory" serves as a straightforward way to describe something that is no longer present or active, existing only as a recollection. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, including news, science, and general writing. While alternatives like "just a memory" or "merely a remembrance" exist, the key is to ensure clarity and specificity in your writing to avoid ambiguity. The high frequency and varied source types indicate its broad acceptance and applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

merely a remembrance

Replaces "simply" with "merely", emphasizing the insignificance or reduced status of the memory.

just a memory

Replaces "simply" with "just", offering a more concise way to express that something is only a memory now.

only a memory

Similar to "just a memory", but with a slightly stronger emphasis on the fact that it is nothing more than a memory.

a bygone recollection

Replaces "simply" with "bygone" and "memory" with "recollection", indicating a memory from the past.

a faded memory

Uses "faded" to describe the memory, highlighting its diminishing clarity over time.

a distant memory

Emphasizes the remoteness of the memory in time.

a thing of the past

Shifts the focus to the past nature of the subject, rather than specifically calling it a memory.

water under the bridge

An idiomatic expression indicating that something is in the past and no longer relevant.

ancient history

Emphasizes the great distance in time and lack of current relevance.

relegated to memory

Highlights the act of something being moved to the realm of memory, implying a loss of importance.

FAQs

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

You can use "simply a memory" to describe something that is no longer present or relevant. For example, "The excitement of that day is now "simply a memory"".

What are some alternatives to the phrase "simply a memory"?

Alternatives include "just a memory", "merely a remembrance", or "a thing of the past" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "simply a memory"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. The phrase uses an adverb ("simply") to modify the noun phrase "a memory".

What is the difference between "simply a memory" and "just a memory"?

The phrases are very similar in meaning. "Simply a memory" might subtly emphasize the straightforward or unremarkable nature of the memory, while "just a memory" emphasizes that it is only a memory and nothing more.