unexpectedly remember

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "unexpectedly remember" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone recalls something suddenly or without prior intention. Example: "While cleaning the attic, I unexpectedly remembered the summer we spent at the beach."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If your period started unexpectedly, remember to remove blood stains in cold water; never hot.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The dog and I resumed our tour, and I was surprised by unexpectedly remembering what crying is like.

The New Yorker

Unexpectedly, I remembered that the maid, clearing away the table, had not touched the unused plate.

The New Yorker

I remember being unexpectedly overcome by a student production of "La Bohème" at the New England Conservatory in Boston, sung in English and performed in an intimate theater.

The New York Times - Arts

PAGE A14 The Cardinals Remember Darryl Kile, the St . Louis Cardinalspitcher who died unexpectedly Saturday, was remembered before a game in Chicago that he would have started.

The New York Times

Will Smith is as ebulliently bouncy as ever, and Emma Thompson makes the most of an all-too-fleeting cameo, but it's depressing to remember just how unexpectedly sparky the first movie was back in 1997 and how corporate this third instalment seems by comparison.

The Guardian - Film

I remember it appeared suddenly, unexpectedly, without the premonitory subcutaneous lump you usually get with whiteheads.

The Guardian - Books

I remember them as wooden and unexpectedly light in the hand, like model airplanes.

The New Yorker

During his visit, our aunt passed away unexpectedly from a drug overdose and I remember saying to him: "This is so sad.

Huffington Post

I remember coming back to the hotel unexpectedly to see a group of Turkish chambermaids gawping in amazement at my makeshift studio.

The Guardian - Arts

I was there and saw your face, shocked that you were suddenly alone, and I remember the way you held your abdomen, unexpectedly empty of another life.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "unexpectedly remember" to add a touch of surprise or serendipity to your writing, indicating a memory resurfaced without prompting. This phrase is particularly effective in narrative contexts to reveal character thoughts or plot points.

Common error

Avoid using "unexpectedly remember" simply as a stronger version of "remember". The term 'unexpectedly' should genuinely reflect surprise or a lack of anticipation in the act of remembering. If the memory was likely to surface, consider a simpler phrasing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "unexpectedly remember" functions as an adverb-verb combination, modifying the action of remembering. It indicates how the remembering occurs. Ludwig AI shows it is correctly used in various sentence structures to add a sense of surprise or spontaneity to the act of recalling something.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

14%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "unexpectedly remember" is a grammatically sound and useful combination to describe a memory surfacing spontaneously. Ludwig AI validates its usage across various contexts, especially in news, media, and narrative writing. While not exceedingly common, it adds a specific nuance of surprise or serendipity to the act of remembering. When employing this phrase, ensure the context genuinely reflects a lack of anticipation or conscious effort to recall the memory. Alternatives like "suddenly recall" or "inadvertently recall" can be considered depending on the desired emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

suddenly recall

Highlights the abruptness of remembering, omitting the element of surprise.

inadvertently recall

Emphasizes the unintentional nature of remembering, suggesting a lack of conscious effort.

unintentionally remember

Similar to 'inadvertently recall', focusing on the lack of intention in remembering.

casually remember

Suggests a light, almost incidental remembering experience, downplaying the unexpected aspect.

accidentally recall

Emphasizes the chance element of remembering, implying it happened without planning.

spur of the moment recall

Focuses on the immediacy of recalling, highlighting that it happened without premeditation.

out of the blue recall

Highlights the suddenness and unexpected nature of the recall.

all of a sudden remember

Similar to 'suddenly recall', stressing the abrupt and immediate nature of remembering.

find oneself remembering

Highlights the passive nature of remembering, where the person is almost surprised by their own recall.

it crossed my mind

Indicates a thought or memory surfacing unexpectedly, often fleetingly.

FAQs

How can I use "unexpectedly remember" in a sentence?

You can use "unexpectedly remember" to describe a sudden recollection, such as, "While cleaning the attic, I "unexpectedly remembered" the summer we spent at the beach."

What is a good substitute for "unexpectedly remember"?

Alternatives include "suddenly recall", "inadvertently recall", or "casually remember", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it more correct to say "unexpectedly remember" or "suddenly remember"?

Both "unexpectedly remember" and "suddenly remember" are grammatically correct. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the surprise element (unexpectedly) or just the speed of recall (suddenly).

What does "unexpectedly remember" imply about the memory?

"Unexpectedly remember" implies that the memory was not actively being sought or anticipated. It suggests the memory surfaced seemingly out of nowhere, triggered by a stimulus or a spontaneous thought.