sort of remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"sort of remember" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when you have a vague or partial recollection of something. Example: "I sort of remember meeting her at the party last year." Alternative expressions include "kind of recall" and "somewhat remember."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

I sort of remember the day.

The Guardian - Arts

JUDITH: Arthur LIZADONNELLY: I do sort of remember.

The New Yorker

I sort of remember that as a somewhat ominous remark.

The Guardian

Mr. Deforest said "I sort of remember being his age.

The New Yorker

Was I like that?' And it does remind you – yes, I do sort of remember bounding out of bed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You sort of remember visiting, forgot about it after Netflix appeared, and pretty soon they had all disappeared.

The Guardian - Money

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

That sort of remembering, delicate in its unfolding and revealed through a sequence of glimpses, makes up Trevor's art in this disturbing story.

The New York Times - Books

I forgot about it, but the next night when I came up to that note, about a line before, I sort of remembered, and then I really cracked on that note.

The New York Times

And I think this movie does that sort of remembering too.

Los Angeles Times

On potentially being cast as the series regular, Campbell mused, "I had worked on an X-Files episode before, and I think they sort of remembered me from that.

Wikipedia

Of course, Wright has form at this sort of thing – remember the Queen-on-the-jukebox-meets-zombie-pool-cue death in Shaun of the Dead?

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of remember" to convey a lack of complete or clear recollection, indicating that the memory is vague or uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of remember" when you have a clear and distinct memory of the event. In such cases, use phrases like "I clearly remember" or "I distinctly recall" to reflect the certainty of your memory.

Linguistic Context

"Sort of remember" functions as a verb phrase modifier, indicating a degree of uncertainty or vagueness regarding a memory. It suggests a partial or incomplete recollection, as illustrated in Ludwig's examples. The Ludwig AI indicates it's grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort of remember" is a common phrase used to express an uncertain or vague recollection. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media contexts. While suitable for informal communication, more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional settings. When writing, use "sort of remember" to accurately reflect the degree of certainty in your memory, avoiding its use when your memory is clear and distinct. Remember that there are various alternatives, such as ""vaguely recall"" or ""partially remember"", that can convey similar meanings with subtle differences in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of remember

Uses "kind of" instead of "sort of", providing a very similar level of certainty.

vaguely recall

Implies a slightly weaker memory than "sort of remember".

partially remember

Highlights the incompleteness of the memory.

dimly recall

Emphasizes the obscurity or faintness of the memory.

hazy recollection

Uses a noun phrase to describe the uncertain memory.

have a vague memory of

Rephrases using the noun "memory" to convey uncertainty.

I seem to remember

Adds a personal perspective and introduces a slight doubt.

I think I remember

Emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty about the memory.

recall indistinctly

Uses a more formal adverb to indicate the lack of clarity in the memory.

not entirely sure I remember

Explicitly states the uncertainty in remembering something.

FAQs

What does "sort of remember" mean?

"Sort of remember" means having a vague or incomplete recollection of something. It indicates that you have some memory of an event or detail, but it is not entirely clear or complete.

How can I use "sort of remember" in a sentence?

You can use "sort of remember" in a sentence to express that you have a partial or uncertain memory. For example: "I "sort of remember" meeting her at the conference."

What are some alternatives to "sort of remember"?

Some alternatives to "sort of remember" include "vaguely recall", "partially remember", or "dimly recall". These phrases all convey a sense of having a somewhat unclear or incomplete memory.

Is "sort of remember" formal or informal?

"Sort of remember" is generally considered informal. In more formal contexts, you might prefer phrases like "I vaguely recall" or "I have a faint recollection of".