vivid recollection

USAGE SUMMARY

"vivid recollection" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a clear and detailed memory of a past event or experience. For example, "She had a vivid recollection of the time she travelled to the Grand Canyon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

38 human-written examples

"They used to talk to each other — that's my most vivid recollection," he said.

The New Yorker

Ailinger's most vivid recollection was a collision with the legendary Jim Thorpe.

The New York Times - Sports

With loving and vivid recollection, she returns flesh to the bones of statistics and allows her ghosts to live again.

The New York Times - Books

I have a vivid recollection of a woman judge many years ago who was a very fine pianist.

The Guardian

When I mentioned that I had come from London, his face registered the vivid recollection of a gone world.

The Guardian

Much of the book is about Rousseau's utter alienation from society, but it also contains Rousseau's vivid recollection of the peace he found in nature.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

As with Tansev, his most vivid recollections involved the Neolithic phase.

The New Yorker

Although they met in person for the first time only last year, Mr. Plouffe has vivid recollections of Mr. Mook.

The New York Times

After recovering, he originally planned to write a scientific paper that would explain his intensely vivid recollections.

The New York Times - Books

Among his most vivid recollections was Jacqueline Kennedy's visit in August 1964, nine months after her husband was assassinated.

The New York Times

Reminiscences of childhood spent in New York in the early 1900's, and some of author's vivid recollections of the time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

This phrase works exceptionally well in narrative writing or memoirs to signal that the following description is based on a deeply etched personal experience.

Common error

Do not use "vivid recollection" for information that is factual or dry, such as remembering a phone number or a mathematical formula. Use it for experiences. Also, avoid redundant modifiers like "very clear vivid recollection", as "vivid" already implies a high degree of clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "vivid recollection" serves as a noun phrase where the adjective "vivid" modifies the noun "recollection". In sentences provided by Ludwig AI, it typically functions as the direct object of verbs like "have", "prompt", or "contain".

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Social Media

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In conclusion, "vivid recollection" is a highly effective and sophisticated phrase for describing memories that remain exceptionally clear and detailed over time. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent usage in elite publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times, often appearing in the context of personal memoirs, historical accounts, and neuropsychological studies. Unlike a simple "memory", a "vivid recollection" implies a sensory-rich experience, making it an ideal choice for writers who wish to convey the emotional or visual power of the past. It is grammatically stable, widely accepted, and serves as a powerful tool for narrative precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vivid memory

Uses a more general noun and is the most common informal equivalent.

vivid recall

Uses the noun form of the verb "recall", suggesting a more active process of retrieval.

crystal clear recollection

An idiomatic intensification emphasizing that the memory is perfectly preserved.

clear recollection

Focuses on the lack of ambiguity rather than the sensory richness of the memory.

sharp memory

Emphasizes the precision and detail of the remembered event.

distinct remembrance

A more formal and slightly old-fashioned way to express a specific memory.

precise remembrance

Focuses strictly on the accuracy of the facts being remembered.

graphic recollection

Implies an almost uncomfortably high level of visual or sensory detail.

intense recollection

Highlights the emotional or sensory strength of the memory rather than just clarity.

vibrant recollection

Suggests that the memory is full of life, color, and energy.

FAQs

How do I use "vivid recollection" in a sentence?

You can use it to describe a detailed memory, for example: "He had a vivid recollection of the day he first arrived in the city."

What is the difference between "vivid recollection" and "vivid memory"?

While often interchangeable, a "vivid memory" is the thing stored in the mind, while a "vivid recollection" often refers to the actual act or process of bringing that memory back to the surface.

What can I say instead of "vivid recollection"?

Depending on the tone, you could use "sharp recall", "clear remembrance", or "vivid memory".

Is "vivid recollection" a formal phrase?

Yes, it is considered a neutral to formal phrase. It is frequently found in high-quality journalism, such as The New York Times, and in scientific contexts when discussing cognitive functions.