When you recall something, it means you remember it. You bring a thought or an idea back into your head. For example, if you try to recall what you ate for breakfast, you are trying to remember your breakfast. If someone asks you your name, you recall it and say it. It's like finding a memory in your brain.
- Definition
- To bring a fact or situation back to your mind.
§ Grammar and Usage
The verb 'recall' is a transitive verb, which means it usually takes a direct object. This object is the thing you are remembering or bringing to mind. You can recall a memory, a name, a fact, or an event.
I can't recall her name.
He tried to recall the details of the accident.
'Recall' can also be followed by a 'that' clause to express a remembered fact or situation.
I recall that we met last year.
Another common structure is 'recall + -ing form' when you remember doing something.
She couldn't recall ever seeing him before.
§ Prepositions with Recall
Unlike some other verbs related to memory (like 'remember'), 'recall' typically does not take a preposition directly after it when referring to the object being remembered. For example, you wouldn't say 'recall about something'.
§ Common Phrases and Contexts
Here are some common ways 'recall' is used:
- To recall a memory: To bring a past event or experience back to your mind.
- To recall a fact/information: To remember a piece of information.
- To recall an event: To remember something that happened.
- To recall details: To remember specific pieces of information about something.
He tried to recall his childhood memories.
Can you recall the capital of France?
She couldn't recall the exact date of the party.
The witness struggled to recall the details of the conversation.
§ Differences from 'Remember'
While 'recall' and 'remember' are often used interchangeably, there's a subtle difference. 'Recall' often implies a more deliberate effort to bring something to mind, a conscious act of retrieving information. 'Remember' can be more spontaneous or automatic.
I remember my first day of school. (Automatic)
I tried to recall the name of the book. (Deliberate effort)
However, in many everyday contexts, using either 'recall' or 'remember' will be understood.
§ Examples in Context
Here are a few more examples to help you understand how to use 'recall' in sentences:
The witness was asked to recall what happened.
I can barely recall anything from that trip.
Do you recall where you left your keys?
She couldn't recall the exact words he said.
He asked me to recall the incident in as much detail as possible.
§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
§ At Work
In a professional environment, "recall" often relates to memory, information, or even products. It's a word that can come up in meetings, during training, or when discussing quality control.
- Remembering Information
- In a workplace, you might hear a colleague say they need to "recall" a specific detail from a previous project or a client's request. This simply means they need to bring that information back to their mind to use it for their current task. For example, if you work in sales, you might need to recall a customer's preferences to offer them the best product.
The engineer had to recall the exact specifications for the old machine part.
- Product Recalls
- A very important and common use of "recall" in a work context, especially in manufacturing or retail, is when a company announces a "product recall." This means they are asking customers to return a product because there's a safety issue or defect. It's a formal process where the company needs to bring the faulty products back from the market. This phrase is used across many industries, from car manufacturers to food companies.
The company issued a recall for all affected electronic devices.
§ At School
School is a place where your memory is constantly being tested, so it's no surprise that "recall" is a word you'll hear often in an educational setting.
- Exams and Learning
- Teachers and professors frequently talk about students needing to "recall" facts, dates, formulas, or concepts for tests and assignments. This is a fundamental part of learning – being able to retrieve information you've studied. You might hear advice like, "Practice makes it easier to recall information during the exam."
Students were asked to recall the main events of the French Revolution.
- Memory Exercises
- Sometimes, discussions in psychology or cognitive science classes will focus on how memory works and the process of information recall. You might participate in exercises designed to improve your ability to recall details, such as remembering a list of words or a sequence of numbers.
The memory game helped the children to recall the names of various animals.
§ In the News
News reports often use "recall" when discussing political events, product safety, or investigations. It's a word that conveys a sense of official action or the act of remembering past events that are relevant to current stories.
- Political Context
- In politics, a "recall election" is a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended. You might hear news anchors reporting on efforts to "recall" a mayor or a governor due to public dissatisfaction.
Citizens are gathering signatures for a petition to recall the council member.
- Product and Safety News
- As mentioned in the 'Work' section, product recalls are big news. When there's a problem with a car, a toy, or a food item, news outlets will widely report on the company's decision to "recall" the product to ensure public safety. This is a crucial piece of information for consumers.
The news channel reported on the urgent recall of infant formula due to contamination fears.
- Recalling Past Events
- Journalists and commentators will also use "recall" when referring to past events or statements that are relevant to a current news story. For example, a reporter might say, "We can recall the President's speech last year where he addressed this very issue." This helps to provide context and background for the audience.
Many people recall the severe winter of 1978 with great clarity.
By observing how "recall" is used in these different environments, you'll become much more comfortable using and understanding it yourself. It's a word that connects to memory, responsibility, and civic action, making it a very important part of the English language.
Ejemplos por nivel
Can you recall the name of the restaurant we went to last week?
Puedes recordar el nombre del restaurante al que fuimos la semana pasada?
Used with a direct object.
I can't quite recall where I put my keys.
No consigo recordar dónde puse mis llaves.
Used with a 'wh-' clause.
She could vividly recall every detail of her childhood home.
Ella podía recordar vívidamente cada detalle de su casa de la infancia.
Used with an adverb like 'vividly' to intensify the action.
Try to recall what you were doing at the time of the incident.
Intenta recordar qué estabas haciendo en el momento del incidente.
Used as an imperative.
It's difficult to recall exact dates from so long ago.
Es difícil recordar fechas exactas de hace tanto tiempo.
Used with an infinitive phrase.
The old man found it hard to recall recent events.
Al anciano le resultaba difícil recordar los acontecimientos recientes.
Used with a noun phrase as the object.
Do you recall seeing anyone unusual around the building?
¿Recuerdas haber visto a alguien inusual alrededor del edificio?
Used with a gerund (verb + -ing).
I'm trying to recall the lyrics to that song.
Estoy tratando de recordar la letra de esa canción.
Used in the continuous tense to express an ongoing effort.
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasWhile both 'recall' and 'remember' mean to bring something back to mind, 'recall' often implies a more deliberate effort to retrieve information. For example, you might 'remember' a pleasant childhood memory, but you would 'recall' specific facts for a test. 'Recall' can also be used in a more formal context, like recalling a product from the market.
Yes, absolutely! When a company asks customers to return a product due to a defect or safety concern, it's called a 'product recall.' So, you can definitely say, 'The company had to recall the faulty electronics.'
It can be! While you can use 'recall' in everyday conversations, it often carries a slightly more formal tone than 'remember.' For instance, in a business setting, you might 'recall' a meeting's agenda, whereas you'd 'remember' to pick up groceries.
You can use 'recall' in a few ways. Here are some examples:
- 'I can't recall her name right now.'
- 'The witness was asked to recall the events of that evening.'
- 'The car manufacturer issued a recall for a problem with the brakes.'
That's a good question! While the most common meanings relate to memory and product returns, 'recall' can also mean to summon someone back, especially from a position or duty. For example, 'The ambassador was recalled from his post.'
Not always! When you're talking about bringing something to mind, you generally use it directly with the object, like 'I recall the conversation.' However, when talking about summoning someone back, you might say, 'They decided to recall him to duty.'
The past tense of 'recall' is 'recalled.' For example, 'She recalled every detail of the accident.'
Yes, it can! As a noun, 'recall' refers to the act of remembering something, or the official order to return a faulty product. For instance, 'He has excellent recall for names,' or 'The company announced a product recall.'
One common phrase is 'beyond recall,' which means something is lost or forgotten and cannot be brought back. For example, 'The memories of that time are now beyond recall.'
A great way to practice is to try using it in different contexts. When you're trying to remember something, consciously try to use 'recall' in your thoughts or when speaking. You can also try writing sentences using 'recall' to describe past events or product issues. Reading English books and articles will also help you see how native speakers use it naturally.
Ponte a prueba 12 preguntas
This sentence means you cannot remember her name.
This sentence asks if you remember the movie.
This sentence means he couldn't remember the location of his keys.
After the accident, she found it difficult to ___ the details of what happened.
To 'recall' means to bring a fact or situation back to your mind. In this context, it refers to remembering the details of the accident.
Despite his age, he could still ___ every single name from his childhood class.
The sentence implies that he had a good memory for names from his past, making 'recall' the appropriate verb.
The witness struggled to ___ the exact time the incident occurred.
A witness would try to remember the exact time, so 'recall' fits the meaning of bringing that information to mind.
If you recall something, you are remembering it.
The definition of 'recall' is to bring a fact or situation back to your mind, which is synonymous with remembering.
To recall an event means to actively try and forget it.
To 'recall' is to remember, which is the opposite of trying to forget something.
When you recall information, you are generating new ideas rather than accessing existing memories.
Recalling involves accessing existing memories or facts, not generating new ideas.
/ 12 correct
Perfect score!
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
Frases relacionadas
Más palabras de general
a lot of
A2Significa que tienes una gran cantidad de algo. Es una forma muy común de decir que hay mucho.
about
A1'About' se usa para decir de qué trata algo o para indicar una aproximación.
above
A2Indica una posición más alta que otra cosa, justo encima.
accident
A2Algo malo que pasa de repente y puede causar daño.
action
A2Es el proceso de hacer algo, generalmente para lograr un objetivo.
after
A2'After' significa que algo sucede después de otra cosa, ya sea en tiempo o en lugar.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2'Again' significa que algo sucede una vez más, que se repite.
aged
B1Se usa para indicar la edad de alguien o algo en un momento dado.
alive
A2Algo que tiene vida y no ha muerto.
