stir memory

USAGE SUMMARY

'stir memory' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when something brings back memories from the past. For example: "The smell of fresh-baked cinnamon rolls stirred memories of holidays spent with my family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The power of music to stir memory and move the hardest heart permeates Taduno's Song (Canongate £10.99), the overlooked Kafkaesque debut novel by Nigerian writer Odafe Atogun, which echoes with the life of the great singer and human rights activist Fela Kuti.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Hiroshima's Peace Museum, like the Jewish Holocaust Museum or the Vietnam Memorial Wall, was built not only to stir memories but to inspire lessons.

Huffington Post

But they were still close enough to what they had been to stir memories.

The New York Times - Arts

Androgynous children in crisp uniforms stir memories of youth's dark side.

The New York Times - Style

The attacks on Ralph Nader's presidential candidacy, on the Green Party ticket, stir memories that stretch back two decades.

The New York Times

If you've ever been part of a single-parent family, the depiction of the tough, intimate period of adjusting to new circumstances will stir memories.

Independent

This may stir memories of Arthur Andersen, which saw its American business implode as clients deserted the firm that had audited Enron.

The Economist

"She Makes Me Happy" starts the album with a briskly strummed mandolin to stir memories of Mr. Stewart's early-1970s heydandand hits like "Maggie May".

The New York Times - Arts

Later this month two exhibitions will stir memories of perhaps the most rancorous and tragic episode in recent British art history.

The Guardian - Arts

For the Vietnamese, even those who left the country long ago, pho tends to stir memories, the way a madeleine did for Proust.

The New York Times - Food

There were many veteran journalists at the reception in Fleet Street's Punch Tavern afterwards and just by mingling with each other it was bound to stir memories.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stir memory" to describe situations where something subtly awakens a recollection, often with emotional resonance.

Common error

Avoid using "stir memory" when describing extremely intense or traumatic memories; consider stronger verbs like "haunt" or "overwhelm" to better convey the emotional impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stir memory" functions as a verb-noun construction, where "stir" acts as a transitive verb taking "memory" as its object. It describes the action of something prompting or evoking a recollection. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "stir memory" is a grammatically sound and meaningful expression used to describe the act of something prompting a recollection. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's correct and usable in written English. While not a very common phrase, its usage is primarily found in news and media contexts, where it serves to describe how events, objects, or sensory experiences can evoke past memories. Related phrases like "evoke memories" or "trigger recollections" can offer similar meanings. When using "stir memory", be mindful of the emotional intensity you wish to convey, as it tends to suggest a subtle and gentle awakening of memories.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke memories

Focuses on the act of bringing memories to mind, slightly more formal.

trigger recollections

Highlights the immediate prompting of memories, implying a specific trigger.

awaken reminiscences

Implies a gentler, more nostalgic return of memories, more formal.

call up memories

Suggests a deliberate act of summoning memories from the past.

bring back recollections

Emphasizes the return of memories after a period of being forgotten.

conjure up memories

Suggests a more imaginative or vivid recreation of past experiences.

rekindle memories

Focuses on reviving memories that have faded over time.

elicit reminiscences

Focuses on drawing out memories through external stimuli or prompting.

prompt recollections

Similar to 'trigger,' but suggests a gentler initiation of memories.

revive past experiences

Highlights the act of bringing past events and feelings back to life.

FAQs

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

You can use "stir memory" to describe how a particular sight, sound, smell, or event evokes recollections of the past. For example, "The old photograph "stirred memory" of her childhood home."

What are some alternatives to "stir memory"?

Alternatives include "evoke memories", "trigger recollections", or "bring back memories". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "stir up memory" instead of "stir memory"?

While "stir up" is often used with emotions or trouble, "stir memory" is the more common and direct way to express the idea of something awakening a memory.

What's the difference between "stir memory" and "create memory"?

"Stir memory" refers to the act of evoking or awakening existing memories, whereas "create memory" refers to the formation of new memories. They are opposite in meaning.