try to remember

USAGE SUMMARY

'try to remember' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to remind someone to remember something. For example, "Try to remember to take your keys before you leave the house!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Try to remember".

The New Yorker

I try to remember it".

The Guardian - Music

I'll try to remember that.

The Guardian - Music

I try to remember, you know.

The New Yorker

Just try to remember all the names.

The Guardian

Now theatergoers can only try to remember.

The New York Times

Wise words that I try to remember.

The Guardian

How do you try to remember?

The New Yorker

Try to remember college or high school.

The New Yorker

So let's try to remember what happened.

The Guardian - Business

And try to remember which device contains which books?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "try to remember" to gently prompt someone to recall information, especially when they might be struggling or have forgotten something.

Common error

Avoid using "try to remember" sarcastically or aggressively when someone is genuinely unsure or has no way of knowing the information. Ensure your prompt is helpful, not accusatory.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "try to remember" functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to make an effort to recall something. Ludwig provides numerous examples where this phrase is used in direct requests, such as "Try to remember people's names" or "Try to remember what you last ate."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

35%

News & Media

34%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

6%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "try to remember" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to prompt someone to recall information. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely employed across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and general instructional content. To ensure clarity and avoid misinterpretations, use this phrase constructively and consider alternative expressions like "attempt to recall" or "make an effort to remember" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

attempt to recall

Focuses on the effort of recalling something.

make an effort to remember

Emphasizes the conscious effort involved in remembering.

endeavor to recollect

A more formal way of saying "try to remember".

see if you can remember

Phrases the act of remembering as a possibility.

do your best to remember

Emphasizes giving it your all when trying to recall.

have a stab at remembering

An informal British English way of trying to remember.

make a mental note

Implies remembering for future reference.

jog your memory

Suggests stimulating recall, often with external cues.

rack your brains

Implies struggling to remember something.

cast your mind back

Suggests thinking about the past to remember something.

FAQs

How can I use "try to remember" in a sentence?

You can use "try to remember" to encourage someone to recall something, as in "Try to remember where you put your keys" or "Try to remember what she said."

What phrases are similar to "try to remember"?

Similar phrases include "attempt to recall", "make an effort to remember", or "endeavor to recollect", each with slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "try and remember" instead of "try to remember"?

While "try and remember" is sometimes used informally, "try to remember" is generally considered more grammatically correct in formal writing. Choose "try to remember" for clearer and more precise communication.

What's the difference between "try to remember" and "do you remember"?

"Try to remember" is a request or suggestion to make an effort to recall something, while "Do you remember" is a direct question asking if someone already has a memory of something. For example, "Try to remember the code." vs. "Do you remember the code?"