wave of memories

USAGE SUMMARY

'wave of memories' is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is a phrase used to describe a sudden and powerful rush of memories or emotions. For example: As we drove past my old hometown, I was suddenly overcome by a wave of memories.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

As I sat on the bed that afternoon, a wave of memories came back — life as a 20-something, without a baby, jotting things exuberantly in bars.

The New York Times - Magazine

Reading your March 17 Weekend section article "Finding Camaraderie in the Music of Mah-Jongg Tiles" produced a wave of memories.

The New York Times

The words washed over me as a sickening wave of memories: green antiseptic walls, sterile masks, my father, pale-faced, trembling, fighting for each breath as leukemia slowly took him from us.

Huffington Post

The endless stream of news triggered a wave of memories from when police showed up at my door in the early morning hours of March 29, 2008 to report that Gabriel had killed himself.

HuffPost

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

To the end of his life, the aroma of chopped onions, celery, green pepper and garlic would sweep him back to his mother's kitchen on a powerful wave of memory.

The New York Times

It is as if Jewish Harlem sank 70 years ago beneath the waves of memory, beyond recall.

The New York Times - Arts

This is a novel about a drowning in a river a long time ago, and about overwhelming waves of memory in old age.

The Guardian - Books

The waves of memory crash again and again in Berlin's work as she, and a variety of narrators who typically share many of the details of her biography, relate episodes that together form a body of work that is part memoir, part auto-fiction, and part single, extended story cycle.

The Guardian - Books

"It's my past that I can't get rid of, that hits me like a big wave when I least expect it". The waves of memory crash again and again in Berlin's work as she, and a variety of narrators who typically share many of the details of her biography, relate episodes that together form a body of work that is part memoir, part auto-fiction, and part single, extended story cycle.

The Guardian - Books

Your Jan . 14Lives column brought back a wave of terrible memories for me.

The New York Times - Magazine

"People were having a wave of retroactive memories," a creative executive who worked on the letter told me.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "wave of memories" to describe a sudden and powerful emotional experience linked to past events. It's particularly effective when conveying a sense of being overwhelmed or deeply moved by recollections.

Common error

Avoid using "wave of memories" for simple, casual recollections. This phrase implies a significant emotional impact, not just a neutral recalling of facts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wave of memories" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It describes a sudden and intense emotional experience related to recalling past events. Ludwig AI indicates that this expression is recognized and used in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "wave of memories" is a recognized idiom used to describe a sudden and powerful rush of recollections, often accompanied by strong emotions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Primarily found in News & Media contexts, the phrase effectively conveys the emotional impact of remembering, suggesting a sense of being overwhelmed or deeply moved. While versatile, writers should be mindful of its intensity, avoiding its use for casual or neutral recollections. Alternatives like "flood of memories" or "rush of memories" can provide similar meanings with slightly different nuances. This phrase serves as a vivid and concise way to communicate the subjective experience of revisiting the past.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

flood of memories

Emphasizes the overwhelming and encompassing nature of the remembered experiences, similar to a sudden deluge.

rush of memories

Highlights the speed and suddenness with which the memories are recalled, focusing on the immediate impact.

onslaught of memories

Conveys a sense of being bombarded or overwhelmed by a large number of memories, often implying a stressful or intense experience.

barrage of memories

Similar to 'onslaught', this suggests a continuous and heavy stream of memories impacting the individual.

sudden recollection

Focuses on the abrupt and unexpected nature of remembering something, removing the emotional intensity implied by "wave".

flashback of memories

Implies a vivid and often involuntary reliving of past events, sometimes associated with trauma or intense emotional experiences.

recollection surge

Involves an increase, but it's less common and emphasizes the intensity of the memory recall.

memory cascade

Presents the recall as a sequential and connected series of memories, flowing one after another.

emotional recall

Highlights that it's specifically emotions tied with memories that are coming back.

reminiscence surge

Focuses more on the pleasant or nostalgic aspect of remembering, rather than the intensity of the experience.

FAQs

How can I use "wave of memories" in a sentence?

You can use "wave of memories" to describe a sudden and overwhelming recollection of past events, such as: "As I walked through the old house, a "wave of memories" washed over me."

What's a good alternative to "wave of memories"?

Alternatives to "wave of memories" include "flood of memories", "rush of memories", or "onslaught of memories", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wave of memories" too cliché?

While "wave of memories" is a common expression, it remains effective in conveying a specific emotional experience. Its suitability depends on the context and the writer's goal; consider alternatives if overused in your writing.

What is the difference between "wave of memories" and "flashback"?

A ""wave of memories"" generally refers to a broader emotional experience of remembering, while a "flashback" implies a more vivid and intense reliving of a specific past event, often associated with trauma.