vaguely remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"vaguely remember" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to express that you have some recollection or memory of something, but are not completely sure or confident in your memory. For example: "I vaguely remember seeing that movie years ago, but I can't recall many of the details."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We vaguely remember the 45s.

The Guardian

I vaguely remember a vapid little fuck by that name.

The New Yorker

"I can vaguely remember thumbing through the book.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"I vaguely remember signing up for some new development".

The New York Times

Finn Balor: "I vaguely remember this.."... WB: "You don't remember this at all!

Independent

I also vaguely remember driving home to Queens some nights when I should not have.

The New York Times - Sports

I vaguely remember filling out a supplementary two-page form listing my interests and activities.

The New Yorker

I vaguely remember my first visit to a night club; must've been around 1988.

The New Yorker

In fact, I could remember one line clearly enough, and vaguely remember a whole stanza.

The Guardian - Opinion

He apparently admits it, which I vaguely remember before my eyelids glued shut for the evening.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

I vaguely remember being examined by a visiting dentist at school.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "vaguely remember" when you have some recollection of something, but you are not entirely sure about the details or accuracy of your memory.

Common error

Avoid using "vaguely remember" when you actually have a clear and vivid memory. Choose stronger verbs like "recall" or "remember" to accurately reflect the clarity of your recollection.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vaguely remember" functions as a verb phrase, where "vaguely" modifies the verb "remember". It indicates a state of having an unclear or uncertain recollection of something, as demonstrated by Ludwig AI's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "vaguely remember" is a verb phrase used to express an imprecise or uncertain recollection of something. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and common usage, particularly within News & Media. When writing, ensure you're accurately reflecting the certainty of your memory; avoid using "vaguely remember" when your memory is actually clear. Consider alternatives like "partially recall" or "dimly recollect" for nuanced expression. This phrase is a valuable tool for conveying uncertainty in a variety of contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

partially recall

Indicates an incomplete or fragmented memory, similar to vaguely remembering something.

dimly recollect

Suggests a faint or unclear memory, emphasizing the lack of clarity.

sort of remember

A more informal way to express a weak or uncertain memory.

have a hazy recollection

Implies that the memory is unclear and indistinct, like looking through a haze.

not quite recall

Emphasizes the difficulty in fully remembering something.

sketchily remember

Suggests that the memory is incomplete and lacking in detail.

barely recall

Indicates a very weak or fragile memory.

have a fleeting memory

Highlights the briefness and transience of the memory.

have a blurred memory

Suggests that the details of the memory are indistinct and unclear.

kind of remember

A colloquial way to express an uncertain or partial memory.

FAQs

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

You can use "vaguely remember" to express that you have a faint or uncertain recollection of something. For example, "I "vaguely remember" the party, but the details are fuzzy."

What's a more formal alternative to "vaguely remember"?

A more formal alternative would be "dimly recall" or "have a hazy recollection". For example, "I "dimly recall" the event, though my memory is not precise."

Is it correct to say "vaguely remember about" something?

While not grammatically incorrect, it's more common and natural to say "vaguely remember" something directly, without "about". For example, say "I "vaguely remember" the conversation" instead of "I vaguely remember about the conversation."

What's the difference between "vaguely remember" and "completely forget"?

"Vaguely remember" indicates a partial or unclear recollection, while "completely forget" means having no memory at all. If you "vaguely remember" something, you have some trace of the memory; if you "completely forget" it, the memory is entirely gone.