that stirs a memory

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that stirs a memory" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing something that evokes or brings back a recollection or feeling from the past. Example: "The old photograph was so nostalgic, it truly was a moment that stirs a memory of my childhood."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

A lot of mean-mindedness is going on in this presidential campaign that stirs some memories of the McCarthy period.

Los Angeles Times

He has digitized family photos, papers, awards, anything that stirs memories of his experience, and stored them on Dropbox.

The New York Times - Tech

And places that stir upsetting memories -- buildings, elevators, airports -- may become less anxiety-provoking if a friend or family member is there to offer support.

The New York Times - Science

I revel in the singing of holiday songs, melodies that stir up memories of my childhood in Oak Park, just west of Chicago.

Huffington Post

It also delivered a third major in six attempts for the Irishman - although it was not without a terrific battle against Garcia that stirred memories of their Open play-off at Carnoustie in 2007.

The Guardian - Sport

13 Georgetown on Jan . 3that stirred memories of its 1985 Final Four team — looked less impressive Wednesday after the loss to Syracuse and Georgetown's loss in Pittsburgh.

The New York Times - Sports

It was very painful because you had people like Loretta Lynn, the southern country singer, who said: "How can I vote for a candidate when I can't pronounce his name?" It was this horrible ethnic slur that stirred up old memories of what we had to fight against on the streets of Lowell, Massachusetts, where Greeks were pitted against the Irish and the Armenians.

The Guardian - Film

But as ever with him one yarn stirs a true memory.

The Guardian - Sport

Because of an editing error, the Chongqing Journal article yesterday, about a graveyard in China that stirs memories of the mayhem of the Cultural Revolution, referred incorrectly to the father of a man who visited the grave of his mother, who was killed by a sniper during that era.

The New York Times

Not surprisingly, that stirs memories of Freddy among anxious young people.

The New York Times

The pink chunk next to me stirs a memory.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that stirs a memory" to add a touch of nostalgia or sentimentality to your writing, especially when describing sensory experiences or objects from the past. It's effective for creating a sense of connection to the reader's own experiences.

Common error

Avoid using "that stirs a memory" in technical or scientific writing where objectivity is key. The phrase is best suited for descriptive or narrative pieces where emotional connection is desired.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that stirs a memory" functions as a relative clause, modifying a noun or pronoun by describing something that causes a memory to arise. Ludwig indicates this phrase is usable in written English for evoking recollections.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that stirs a memory" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe something that prompts recollections of the past. Ludwig indicates that it is appropriate for use in written English. Although relatively rare, it finds common ground in news and media contexts. Its purpose is to evoke emotion and nostalgia, creating a connection with the audience. For alternative expressions, one might consider options like "that evokes a recollection" or "that brings back a memory". When utilizing this phrase, it is best reserved for descriptive narratives where establishing emotional connections is prioritized over technical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that evokes a recollection

Replaces 'stirs a memory' with 'evokes a recollection', focusing on the act of bringing something back to mind.

that awakens a reminiscence

Substitutes 'stirs a memory' with 'awakens a reminiscence', emphasizing a gentle prompting of past experiences.

that calls forth a memory

Changes 'stirs' to 'calls forth', highlighting the action of summoning a memory from the past.

that triggers a remembrance

Replaces 'stirs a memory' with 'triggers a remembrance', indicating an involuntary or automatic recall.

that brings back a memory

Uses 'brings back' instead of 'stirs', a more straightforward way to describe the act of remembering.

that revives a past experience

Replaces 'stirs a memory' with 'revives a past experience', focusing on the feeling of reliving something.

that echoes a bygone time

Employs 'echoes a bygone time' instead of 'stirs a memory', creating a more metaphorical and evocative image.

that sparks a mental image

Changes 'stirs a memory' to 'sparks a mental image', suggesting the sudden appearance of a vivid picture in the mind.

that conjures a recollection

Substitutes 'stirs a memory' with 'conjures a recollection', giving a sense of magically or effortlessly bringing something to mind.

that makes one remember

Uses the very simple phrase 'makes one remember' to convey the same meaning.

FAQs

What does "that stirs a memory" mean?

The phrase "that stirs a memory" describes something that evokes a past recollection or feeling, often associated with nostalgia or sentimentality. It implies that the subject matter prompts a specific remembrance.

What can I say instead of "that stirs a memory"?

You can use alternatives like "that evokes a recollection", "that brings back a memory", or "that triggers a remembrance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "that stirs up a memory" or "that stirs a memory"?

Both "that stirs a memory" and "that stirs up a memory" are grammatically correct and understandable, but "that stirs a memory" is generally more concise and often preferred in formal writing. "That stirs up a memory" can imply a more forceful or disruptive recollection.

How do you use "that stirs a memory" in a sentence?

You can use "that stirs a memory" to describe something that evokes a particular memory. For example, "The scent of lavender is something "that evokes a recollection" of my grandmother's garden", showing that lavender's scent is linked with a specific past experience.