since I can remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "since I can remember" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a time frame starting from the earliest memories of a person, often in the context of discussing experiences or feelings that have persisted over time. Example: "I've loved music since I can remember, and it has always been a big part of my life."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hotter every year since I can remember.

The New Yorker

"Ever since I can remember we've been playing".

The New York Times - Sports

"For the first time since I can remember".

The New York Times - Books

"I've been like that since I can remember.

The New York Times - Sports

Since I can remember, I've had melodies in my head.

The New York Times

There's always been junkyards here ever since I can remember.

The New York Times

"He's been around ever since I can remember".

The Guardian

I've been choosy about everything since I can remember.

The New York Times

I always have been, ever since I can remember".

The New York Times

Ever since I can remember I loved doughnuts.

The New York Times

Ever since I can remember, I felt Jewish".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "since I can remember", ensure it logically connects to the main idea of your sentence. The statement following the phrase should be something that has genuinely persisted from your earliest memories.

Common error

Avoid using "since I can remember" when referring to events that occurred only in adulthood or recent years. This phrase implies a connection to one's earliest recollections, so ensure the context aligns with this extended timeframe.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "since I can remember" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or clause, indicating a timeframe that extends back to the speaker's earliest memories. Ludwig AI, using the collected examples, confirms its role in setting a temporal boundary.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "since I can remember" is a grammatically sound and commonly used adverbial phrase used to indicate a timeframe stretching back to one's earliest memories. As Ludwig AI confirms, based on a large collection of examples, its main purpose is to emphasize the long-standing nature of a particular state, feeling, or activity. It finds frequent use in News & Media but is appropriate for both formal and informal writing. Related phrases include "for as long as I can recall" and "from my earliest memories", offering similar meanings with slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for as long as I can recall

Uses 'recall' instead of 'remember', adding a slightly more formal tone.

from my earliest memories

Focuses on the origin point being one's earliest memories.

as far back as I can remember

Emphasizes the length of time being considered.

since my early childhood

Refers to the period of early childhood as the starting point.

from a young age

Highlights the youthfulness of the period in question.

since I was very young

Directly states the speaker's young age as the reference point.

all my life

Implies the entire duration of the speaker's life.

for my entire life

More emphatic version of 'all my life'.

throughout my life

Highlights the continuity of something during life.

from the time I was a child

More descriptive, specifying childhood as the starting point.

FAQs

How can I use "since I can remember" in a sentence?

You can use "since I can remember" to describe something that has been true for you from a very young age. For example, "Since I can remember, I've always loved to read".

What's a more formal way to say "since I can remember"?

A more formal alternative to "since I can remember" is "for as long as I can recall". For example, "For as long as I can recall, the company has prioritized customer satisfaction".

Is it correct to say "ever since I can remember"?

Yes, "ever "since I can remember"" is a perfectly acceptable and common variation of "since I can remember".

What's the difference between "since I can remember" and "since my childhood"?

"Since my childhood" refers specifically to the period of your childhood, while "since I can remember" refers to the earliest point you can recall, which may or may not encompass your entire childhood. The former is more specific about the timeframe.