vaguely recall

USAGE SUMMARY

"vaguely recall" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express a feeling of remembering something without being able to say exactly what the details are. For example, "I vaguely recall seeing the movie, but I can't remember when I watched it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

I vaguely recall the death march to Bergen-Belsen.

The Guardian

She said that she could vaguely recall a confidentiality agreement, but wasn't privy to it.

The New Yorker

I vaguely recall being similarly advised before my interview all those years ago.

The Guardian

I vaguely recall being told something about that, but I haven't heard it.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I vaguely recall cultural artifacts in his office, but cannot remember exactly what they were.

The New York Times - Books

We vaguely recall that he won again, and by a kilometre, in the two-hundred-metre.

The New Yorker

I was a child in 1965 and I vaguely recall the events from television broadcasts and news reports.

The New Yorker

Frightened Rabbit I do vaguely recall the first time my brother and I did anything worth remembering as Frightened Rabbit.

Independent

Especially if they vaguely recall suffering through Latin lessons, boy scouting and, probably, the second world war.

The Guardian - Books

I was there that day, and vaguely recall the horror we saw through a blurred film of tears.

The Guardian - Sport

Respondents vaguely recall a homosexual and transvestite performer, a street brawler, a troublemaker: quite a combination in any one person.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vaguely recall" when you want to express that you have a slight or uncertain memory of something, but you don't remember the details clearly.

Common error

Avoid using "vaguely recall" when you have a clear and distinct memory. Choose a stronger verb like "remember" or "recollect" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "vaguely recall" is as a verb phrase indicating an uncertain or weak memory. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where the phrase expresses a lack of detailed recollection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

94%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vaguely recall" is a grammatically sound and commonly used verb phrase that expresses an uncertain or incomplete memory. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's prevalent in news and media, and suitable for neutral registers. When writing, remember to use "vaguely recall" when you have a slight memory, but avoid it when you have a clear recollection. Consider using alternatives like "dimly remember" or "faintly remember" for variety. Overall, "vaguely recall" is a useful phrase for expressing uncertainty about past events.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

faintly remember

Implies a weak and fading memory.

hazily remember

Highlights the unclear and indistinct nature of the memory.

dimly remember

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the memory.

have a vague recollection of

Uses a noun form to express the idea of a weak memory.

cannot quite recall

Indicates difficulty in bringing the memory to mind.

somewhat remember

Indicates a slightly stronger recollection than "vaguely recall".

not clearly remember

Emphasizes the lack of clarity in the memory.

partially remember

Suggests remembering only some aspects of something.

sort of remember

Similar to "kind of remember", indicating a less precise memory.

kind of remember

An informal way of expressing an uncertain memory.

FAQs

How can I use "vaguely recall" in a sentence?

You can use "vaguely recall" to express an uncertain or incomplete memory, for example: "I "vaguely recall" seeing that movie years ago, but I don't remember the plot."

What are some alternatives to "vaguely recall"?

Alternatives include phrases like "dimly remember", "faintly remember", or "have a vague recollection of", which all express a similar sense of weak or uncertain memory.

Is it better to say "vaguely remember" or "vaguely recall"?

"Vaguely remember" and "vaguely recall" are largely interchangeable and can be used based on personal preference. Both convey the same meaning of having a weak or uncertain memory. Using "vaguely recall" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "vaguely recall" and "clearly remember"?

"Vaguely recall" implies an uncertain or incomplete memory, while "clearly remember" indicates a distinct and detailed recollection. They are antonyms, representing opposite ends of the memory spectrum.