Explanation at your level:
You use remember when you have a thought in your head. For example, 'I remember my teacher.' It means you do not forget. You can say, 'Remember to bring your book!'
Remember is used to talk about the past. If you remember something, you have a picture of it in your mind. It is also used for tasks. 'Did you remember to buy milk?' is a very common question.
At this level, you start using remember with gerunds and infinitives. 'I remember meeting him' means the event happened in the past. 'I remembered to meet him' means you completed the task of meeting him. The nuance is important for clear communication.
Remember often appears in formal contexts, such as 'Please remember that the deadline is Friday.' It functions as a polite imperative. You can also use it in passive constructions or complex sentences to describe cognitive processes.
In advanced English, remember can be used in more abstract or figurative ways. You might hear 'The house remembers the laughter of children,' which is a literary device called personification. It conveys a sense of history and atmosphere.
At the mastery level, remember is analyzed through its etymological roots and its role in cognitive psychology. It is used to discuss the 'reconstruction' of memory rather than just 'retrieval.' It appears in philosophical discourse regarding identity and the continuity of the self.
Word in 30 Seconds
- High-frequency verb
- Used for past and future
- Regular conjugation
- Essential for daily life
Remember is a foundational English verb. It describes the mental process of accessing past information or holding a future task in your mind.
Think of your brain like a library. When you remember, you are either pulling an old book off the shelf (a past memory) or keeping a sticky note on your desk so you don't forget an errand (a future duty).
The word remember comes from the Old French word remembrer, which traces back to the Latin rememorari. This Latin root is a combination of re- (again) and memor (mindful).
It is a cousin to words like memory and memorial. Historically, it implies 'calling back to mind,' emphasizing that the information was already there, just waiting to be retrieved.
You use remember in two main ways: followed by a noun (e.g., 'I remember your name') or followed by a verb (e.g., 'I remember to lock the door').
In casual conversation, we often use it to prompt others, like 'Remember to call me!' In formal settings, it is used to express respect, such as 'We remember those who served.' It is a very versatile, high-frequency word.
1. Remember me to someone: Send my greetings to them. Example: Remember me to your mother.
2. If I remember correctly: A phrase used to introduce a memory you are fairly sure about. Example: If I remember correctly, the store closes at nine.
3. As far as I can remember: To the best of my recollection. Example: As far as I can remember, we met in 2010.
4. Remember the Alamo: A historical rallying cry. Example: The soldiers shouted, 'Remember the Alamo!'
5. Long time no see, remember me?: A playful way to greet someone you haven't seen in a while.
Remember is a regular verb. Its past tense and past participle are remembered. It is a transitive verb, meaning it usually needs an object.
Pronunciation is /rɪˈmɛmbər/. The stress is on the second syllable. Rhyming words include September, member, and dismember.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'memory'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'r' sounds.
Rhotic 'r' at the end.
Common Errors
- dropping the middle 'm'
- stressing the first syllable
- mispronouncing the 'er'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Gerund vs Infinitive
Remember to go vs Remember going
Examples by Level
I remember my first day at school.
I have the memory.
Simple past.
I remember you.
Remember to eat.
Do you remember me?
I remember the song.
Remember the day.
I remember your name.
Remember my face.
I remember playing in the park.
Did you remember your keys?
I remember that house.
Please remember to call.
I don't remember the answer.
Remember to be kind.
I remember the movie.
Do you remember the time?
I remember meeting her in London.
Remember to turn off the lights.
He remembered to lock the door.
I can't remember where I put it.
Do you remember how to swim?
I remember that day clearly.
Remember to take your medicine.
I'll always remember this trip.
I remember having seen him before.
Remember that honesty is the best policy.
She remembered to bring the documents.
I remember it as if it were yesterday.
He remembered the promise he made.
Do you remember the name of the author?
I remember being very happy there.
Try to remember the details.
The city remembers the events of the war.
I remember him to be a very kind man.
He remembered the password just in time.
Remember that you are only human.
I remember the smell of the rain.
She remembers the lesson well.
Remember to keep an open mind.
I remember the feeling of success.
The old walls remember centuries of history.
I remember him as a man of great integrity.
Remember that silence can be powerful.
He remembered to leave nothing behind.
I remember the nuances of the speech.
Do you remember the context of the quote?
The memory remembers what the heart chooses.
I remember the era with nostalgia.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"remember me to"
give my regards
Remember me to your family.
neutral""
""
""
""
""
Easily Confused
similar sound
remind is to help someone else
Remind me to go.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + remember + to + verb
I remember to eat.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Grammar shift changes meaning.
Tips
Memory Palace
Place memories in rooms.
Native Speakers
Use it to confirm facts.
Cultural Insight
Used in memorials.
Grammar Shortcut
To-infinitive = future task.
Say It Right
Stress the second syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't confuse with remind.
Did You Know?
Latin roots.
Study Smart
Use flashcards.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Re-member: Put the members of the memory back together.
Visual Association
A string tied around a finger.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down 3 things you must remember today.
Word Origin
Latin
Original meaning: to call back to mind
Cultural Context
None
Used often in farewells.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
School
- Remember the date
- Remember the formula
- Remember the homework
Conversation Starters
"Do you remember your first day of school?"
"What is the best thing you remember from last year?"
"How do you remember names?"
"Do you remember the last book you read?"
"Why is it important to remember history?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a memory from childhood.
What do you need to remember tomorrow?
Describe a person you remember fondly.
How does it feel to remember a lost friend?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is.
Test Yourself
Please ___ to call me.
It is a task to do.
What does remember mean?
Definition match.
I remember meeting you means I met you in the past.
Gerund indicates past memory.
Word
Meaning
Synonym match.
Correct structure.
Score: /5
Summary
Remember is the bridge between your past experiences and your future responsibilities.
- High-frequency verb
- Used for past and future
- Regular conjugation
- Essential for daily life
Memory Palace
Place memories in rooms.
Native Speakers
Use it to confirm facts.
Cultural Insight
Used in memorials.
Grammar Shortcut
To-infinitive = future task.
Example
I remember your name from the party last week.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
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aah
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accentuate
C1To make a particular feature of something more noticeable or prominent. It is frequently used to describe how one thing emphasizes the beauty, importance, or intensity of another.
acknowledgment
B2An acknowledgment is the act of accepting or admitting that something is true, or a formal statement confirming that something has been received. It can also refer to a public expression of thanks for someone's help or contribution.
actually
B1Actually is used to emphasize that something is a real fact or the truth, often contrasting with what was thought or said. It can also be used to introduce a surprising piece of information or to gently correct someone.
address
A2To speak or write to someone directly, or to deal with a specific problem or situation. It is commonly used when giving a speech, writing a destination on mail, or attempting to solve an issue.
addressee
B2The person or organization to whom a letter, package, or message is addressed. It refers to the intended recipient of a piece of communication.
adlocment
C1Describes a style of communication or behavior that is formal, directed, and oratorical in nature, specifically pertaining to a public address or a declamatory speech. It is used to characterize language that is intentionally designed to be heard by an audience for the purpose of instruction or inspiration.
adloctude
C1Describing a person or communicative style characterized by a formal and direct manner of address. It implies a state of being rhetorically accessible while maintaining a sense of authoritative presence.
admonish
C1To firmly warn or reprimand someone for their behavior, or to advise someone earnestly to do or avoid something. It often implies a sense of moral guidance or authoritative concern rather than just anger.
adpassant
C1To mention or address a secondary topic briefly and incidentally while focused on a primary task or discussion. It describes an action that occurs seamlessly 'in passing' without disrupting the main narrative or workflow.
