to refresh your memory

USAGE SUMMARY

"to refresh your memory" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to remind someone of something they may have forgotten or are not sure about. For example: "I know I told you about this already, but just to refresh your memory, please remember to bring the documents with you to the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If that was you, allow us to refresh your memory.

The Guardian

To refresh your memory: period, comma, hyphen, dash, ellipses, parentheses, and so on.

The New Yorker

Peter Bradshaw has already had his say, so you might want to refresh your memory.

The Guardian - Film

Just to refresh your memory, we're drawing inspiration from Frank Kermode's classic, Genesis of Secrecy.

Yale University

I want to refresh your memory of the electron density distribution here in AlCl three.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

[Turning to the defendant.] I had the documents handed to you to refresh your memory.

Yale University

When, to refresh your memory, the art market went crazy, crazy, crazy and then crashed and burnt.

The Guardian - Arts

You could probably select her as your Mastermind specialist subject with only a cursory internet search to refresh your memory.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It would take you hours to explore thoroughly, and then you'd have to start over, to refresh your memory.

The New Yorker

"This film just arrived in Russia one week ago, and I want to refresh your memory," Prokhorov said, joking.

The New York Times - Sports

"He said, 'I'd like you to refresh your memory,' " Mr. Musgrave, 55, recounted in an interview, confirming an account he had given to The New York Sun.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to refresh your memory" when you want to gently remind someone of information they may have forgotten, especially if it's crucial for the current context.

Common error

While "to refresh your memory" is generally acceptable, consider using simpler alternatives like "as you remember" or "just so you know" in casual conversations to avoid sounding overly formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to refresh your memory" functions as an introductory phrase used to remind someone of a piece of information they may have forgotten. It sets the stage for a reminder, as seen in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

23%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to refresh your memory" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to prompt someone's recollection of previously known information. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and commonly used phrase. It is especially prevalent in news, academic, and general informative contexts. When employing the phrase, consider your audience and the level of formality required, opting for simpler alternatives in very informal settings. While "to refresh your memory" is typically safe to use, be mindful of the setting in order to maximize clarity and appropriateness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to jog your memory

Uses a different verb, 'jog', implying a gentle prompting of memory.

to remind you of

More direct and straightforward, focusing on the act of reminding.

to help you recall

Emphasizes the act of recalling something from memory.

let me remind you

A more assertive way of introducing a reminder.

to bring to your attention again

Formal and emphasizes re-introducing information.

to recap for you

Implies summarizing or reviewing previously discussed information.

for your review

Suggests a more formal review of material.

to brush up on

Informal and suggests a quick review of something already known.

to get you up to speed

Focuses on bringing someone current with the latest information.

to help you remember

Simple and directly addresses the act of remembering.

FAQs

How can I use "to refresh your memory" in a sentence?

You can use "to refresh your memory" to introduce a reminder of something previously discussed or known. For instance, "To refresh your memory, the meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at 10 AM."

What are some alternatives to "to refresh your memory"?

Some alternatives include "to jog your memory", "to remind you of", or "let me remind you", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "to refresh your memory" suitable for formal writing?

Yes, "to refresh your memory" is suitable for formal writing, as it is grammatically correct and widely understood. However, consider the audience and choose the most appropriate tone for the specific context.

When is it better to use a different phrase instead of "to refresh your memory"?

In very informal settings, consider using simpler alternatives like "as you remember" or "just so you know". In situations where you want to emphasize the act of recalling something, you might use phrases like "to help you recall".