sparked a memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparked a memory of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation where something triggers a recollection or reminds you of a past experience. Example: "Hearing that old song sparked a memory of my childhood summers spent at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

The news sparked a memory of the way that the late Christopher Hitchens, one of Rushdie's closest and most loyal friends, reacted to the first news of Khomeini's declaration.

The New Yorker

As she explained, it sparked a memory of my own.

Huffington Post

It sparked a memory of something that Joan observed when she was in Judy's company.

Huffington Post

It sparked a memory of walking with my own newborn, whispering to the universe for all I thought it would take to make me happy -- a big writing job, a safe and bright home, a happy child who laughs and reads, and many other small and significant wishes.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

They may avoid situations that might spark a memory of the trauma, and will sometimes try to deaden their feelings with drink or drugs.

The Guardian

Kelly counts pills and takes a walk, while Michael tries to give himself fully to Laurie, whose every movement sparks a memory of Kelly, who is herself endlessly sifting through memories: the night she and Michael met; his courtroom proposal; their wedding.

The New York Times - Books

For a number of generations the above words immediately spark a memory of the theme song to the classic television series Laverne and Shirley.

HuffPost

Pryor said therapy animal handlers report many remarkable encounters, such as hospital patients who have emerged from comas and asked, "Where's that dog that visited me?" And often dogs visiting people with Alzheimer's disease will help spark a memory of a childhood pet.

HuffPost

Nothing sparked a memory beyond that gauzy image of floating leaves.

The New York Times

"This sparked a visceral memory of years past when I was suffering from a deep depression.

HuffPost

Immediately, it sparked a scary memory of a call I got from his brother from their trip to Florida a few years back.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sparked a memory of" when you want to convey a sense of sudden or unexpected recollection. It's particularly effective when describing sensory experiences (smells, sounds, sights) that trigger memories.

Common error

Avoid using "sparked a memory of" interchangeably with phrases like "created a memory". "Sparked a memory of" implies recalling a pre-existing memory, whereas "created a memory" refers to the formation of a new one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparked a memory of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of something triggering a past recollection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound. Examples illustrate its use in describing sensory or emotional triggers for memories.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Huffington Post

20%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "sparked a memory of" is a grammatically correct and evocative way to describe the triggering of a past recollection. As Ludwig AI indicates, its usage is sound and appropriate in various contexts. While "sparked a memory of" isn't extremely common, it finds its place in news articles, blog posts, and general writing where a descriptive and emotive tone is desired. Alternatives like "triggered a memory of" or "evoked a memory of" can be used to add nuance. Remember to use this phrase when referring to a recollection of a prior experience, distinguishing it from creating a new memory.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

triggered a memory of

Replaces "sparked" with "triggered", emphasizing the cause-and-effect relationship more directly.

evoked a memory of

Uses "evoked" instead of "sparked", suggesting a more subtle and gradual emergence of the memory.

brought back memories of

Focuses on the return of memories, rather than the initial triggering.

reminded me of

A more direct and personal way of expressing the same idea.

called to mind

A more formal and literary way to say "reminded me of".

stirred up memories of

Implies that the memories were dormant or hidden before being activated.

rekindled memories of

Suggests that the memories were fading but are now being revived.

awakened memories of

Emphasizes a sense of discovery or surprise when the memories emerge.

prompted a recollection of

Highlights the specific nature of the memory being triggered.

set off a chain of memories of

Indicates that one memory led to a series of related memories.

FAQs

How can I use "sparked a memory of" in a sentence?

You can use "sparked a memory of" to describe how something triggered a recollection or reminded you of a past experience. For instance, "The old photograph "sparked a memory of" my childhood vacation".

What are some alternatives to "sparked a memory of"?

You can use alternatives like "triggered a memory of", "evoked a memory of", or "brought back memories of" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is there a difference between 'sparked a memory of' and 'created a memory'?

Yes, "sparked a memory of" refers to recalling an existing memory. "Created a memory", on the other hand, means forming a new memory. Therefore, these phrases aren't interchangeable.

When is it appropriate to use "sparked a memory of" in writing?

It's suitable when you want to emphasize a sensory experience or event that caused a sudden recollection of the past. It adds a sense of immediacy and vividness to the description.