summon the memory of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "summon the memory of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of recalling or bringing to mind a specific memory or experience. Example: "As I walked through the old neighborhood, it began to summon the memory of my childhood adventures spent with friends."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

He brought out a ukulele to summon the memory of George Harrison, taking "Something" to the moon.

The New York Times

Others involve drunken drivers and rates of speed, or summon the memory of Rory's grandfather: "How many of his original four daughters have been deafened by gunshot?

The New York Times - Books

Surely Alabama's attorney general, Luther Strange, did not mean to summon the memory of Gov. George Wallace when he picked a fight with the Department of Justice last week over the state's new immigration law.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Meanwhile, his old teammates still summon the memories of the moments after high school when Koufax was present — at restaurants, Final Fours, a grandson's soccer game or a long-ago Dodgers game.

The New York Times - Sports

According to program notes, Ms. Green intended in her new solo "Shadow Catcher" to summon the memories of dancers she has performed with in her 15-year career in a way that replicated the percussionist Joel Davel's performance "plucking an orchestra from the air" with the Buchla Lightning, an electronic instrument.

The New York Times - Arts

His voice quieted as he summoned the memory of Archbishop John Hughes, under whom the cathedral was begun.

The New York Times

He held his fingers together and summoned the memory of standing at the airport mailbox before leaving on tour.

The New York Times

Governor Pataki seemed to anticipate criticism of the project as an extravagance when he summoned the memory of Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

The New York Times

Between those references, Mr. Bush summoned the memory of President Reagan, either directly or indirectly, at least four other times.

The New York Times

It is almost as if he were summoning the memory of a picture book, or a scrap of folklore, instead of a true event.

The New Yorker

Mr. Gates summoned the memory of Sept. 11, 2001, to say that Europe was at risk of becoming victim to attacks of the same enormity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "summon the memory of" when you want to emphasize a deliberate act of bringing a specific past event or person into conscious thought. For stronger impact, pair it with vivid details.

Common error

While "summon the memory of" isn't incorrect, avoid using it excessively in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives like "remember" or "recall" often sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "summon the memory of" functions as a verb phrase used to describe the act of actively and deliberately recalling a specific memory. As Ludwig AI underlines, it suggests a conscious effort to bring something from the past into the present.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "summon the memory of" is a grammatically correct and relatively formal way to describe the act of deliberately recalling a specific memory. Ludwig AI identifies it as a verb phrase functioning to evoke nostalgia or connect past events to the present. Though its usage is somewhat rare, predominantly appearing in News & Media sources, it offers a more emphatic alternative to simpler terms like "remember" or "recall". When writing, consider simpler options in informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke the memory of

Replaces "summon" with "evoke", suggesting a slightly more passive recall.

call to mind the memory of

Emphasizes the act of actively bringing a memory into consciousness.

bring to mind the memory of

Similar to "call to mind", but with a slightly different emphasis on the process.

rekindle the memory of

Suggests reviving a memory that may have faded.

awaken the memory of

Implies that the memory was dormant and is now being brought back to life.

conjure up the memory of

Suggests a magical or imaginative recall.

elicit the memory of

Focuses on drawing out a memory in response to something.

recollect the memory of

Highlights the effort of remembering something.

recapture the memory of

Emphasizes regaining a memory that was lost or difficult to access.

invoke the spirit of

Shifts the focus from memory to a person's essence, but still implies remembrance.

FAQs

What does "summon the memory of" mean?

It means to deliberately bring a specific past event, person, or feeling into your conscious mind. It suggests an active effort to recall something from the past.

How can I use "summon the memory of" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe recalling a specific event or person, such as: "The old photograph helped me "evoke the memory of" my childhood home."

What are some alternatives to "summon the memory of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "call to mind the memory of", "bring to mind the memory of", or simply "remember" or "recall", depending on the context.

Is "summon the memory of" a formal or informal expression?

It leans toward a more formal register compared to simply saying "remember" or "recall". Choose it when you want to add a touch of emphasis or gravity to the act of remembering.