trigger recollection

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "trigger recollection" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the act of prompting someone to remember something or bringing a memory to mind. Example: "The old photograph on the wall seemed to trigger recollection of my childhood adventures."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Youdesperately spinthrough the alphabet for initials to try to trigger recollection.

The New York Times

Ordinarily we encounter such heavy-handed directorial controls as shooting a character from a low camera angle to unconsciously trigger recollection of our childhood experience of looking up to authority figures.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

And along the back wall, the family has decorated the blank space with badges and memorabilia from defunct camps, whose names trigger recollections for the parents of today's campers: Wayne, Camp Seneca, Camp Samoset, Camp Northwood.

The New York Times

"I like looking at things that trigger recollections," she says.

Los Angeles Times

The RA expanded on details during breaks or at the end of the observation day using the chart entries to trigger recollections.

BMC Nursing

It may be related to the dream in some way, and it might trigger recollections.

WikiHow

"Seeing the animals and playing with the cats, for example, often triggers recollections.

Independent

It's constantly triggering recollections from his extraordinary and, at times, painful life.

Forbes

A garden scent need only waft through Athill's window to trigger a recollection.

The Guardian - Books

They theorized that the light from the laser would activate only the set of light-sensitive cells associated with the foot-shock memory and trigger a recollection. .

Vice

Triggers to recollection lurk everywhere.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, specify what is triggering the recollection. Instead of saying "The event triggered recollection", consider "The old photograph triggered recollection of my childhood home".

Common error

Avoid using "trigger recollection" passively. It's more effective when you clearly identify what is doing the triggering. Instead of saying 'Recollection was triggered', specify 'The smell of rain triggered recollection'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "trigger recollection" functions as a verb followed by a noun, where "trigger" acts as a verb meaning to initiate or cause, and "recollection" is the noun representing the act of remembering. Ludwig AI confirms this usage in various examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "trigger recollection" is a grammatically sound and understandable expression used to describe the initiation of a memory. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is considered correct and can be useful when discussing the act of prompting a memory. Although relatively rare in occurrence, primarily appearing in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, it effectively conveys the idea of something causing a memory to surface. When writing, remember to clearly identify what is triggering the recollection for maximum impact. More common alternative phrasing to "trigger recollection" include ""evoke memories"" or ""prompt recall"".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

evoke memories

This alternative focuses on the act of bringing memories to the surface, often through sensory experiences or emotional connections, differing in its emphasis on the emotional aspect.

prompt recall

This suggests a more direct and intentional act of initiating the remembering process, changing the implication from a passive occurrence to an active initiation.

stimulate remembrance

This highlights the activation or encouragement of the memory process, adding a layer of deliberate action to spark the recalling process.

spark remembrance

This phrase suggests a sudden and often unexpected onset of memory, differing by emphasizing the sudden nature of the recollection.

awaken memories

Focuses on bringing dormant memories back to consciousness, altering the focus to the state of memories being previously inactive.

elicit recollection

This implies a more formal or scientific context of drawing out a memory, differing in its formality and implication of a controlled process.

jog memory

This refers to a gentle reminder or cue to help someone remember, focusing on the assistance provided in the remembering process.

call to mind

This is a common idiom for remembering, differing in its simplicity and widespread usage.

bring back memories

This alternative focuses on the return of memories, often with a sense of nostalgia, changing the focus to the reappearance of past experiences.

refresh memory

This suggests renewing or strengthening an existing but faded memory, differing by focusing on reinforcing a partially remembered event.

FAQs

How can I use "trigger recollection" in a sentence?

You can use "trigger recollection" to describe how something prompts a memory. For example, "The old photograph seemed to "trigger recollection" of my childhood adventures."

What are some alternatives to "trigger recollection"?

Alternatives include "evoke memories", "prompt recall", or "stimulate remembrance" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "trigger recollection" and "evoke memories"?

"Trigger recollection" emphasizes the prompting or initiating aspect of memory retrieval, while ""evoke memories"" focuses on the emotional or sensory aspects of bringing memories to the surface.

Is "trigger recollection" formal or informal?

"Trigger recollection" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it might sound slightly more formal than alternatives like "bring back memories" or "jog memory".