I remembered

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive or intransitive

   I brought something back into my mind; I did not forget it.

   Grammar: Can take an object ("I remembered the address") or stand alone ("Then I remembered").

   Patterns

   • I remembered something
   • I remembered that …
   • I remembered doing something
   • I remembered to do something

   I remembered her birthday just in time to send a card.

   I remembered that we had met once before at a conference.

   I remembered to lock the door before I left.

2. 2verbtransitive

   I kept something in my mind on purpose, especially to do later.

   Grammar: Followed by "to" plus a base verb when it means not forgetting a task: "I remembered to call".

   Patterns

   • I remembered to do something
   • remember to do something

   I remembered to bring my umbrella, luckily.

   I remembered to turn off the oven before going out.

3. 3verbtransitive or intransitive

   I recalled a past event or person with feeling.

   Grammar: Often followed by "-ing" for a past action: "I remembered walking there".

   Patterns

   • I remembered doing something
   • I remembered someone

   I remembered walking through that park as a child.

   I remembered my grandfather whenever I smelled fresh bread.

Word forms

Common combinations

remember to do something

I remembered to reply to her email this morning.

remember doing something

I remembered locking the gate, so I wasn't worried.

remember clearly

I remembered clearly what he was wearing that day.

suddenly remember

I suddenly remembered where I had put the keys.

remember someone's name

I remembered his name after a few seconds.

Synonyms and how they differ

recall

"Recall" is a little more formal and often suggests a deliberate effort to bring something back.

recollect

"Recollect" is formal and usually about past events, not everyday tasks.

remind

Careful: "remind" means to make someone else remember, not to remember yourself.

Opposites

Word family

remember verb

The base form, meaning to keep or bring something in your mind.

remembrance noun

A formal word for the act of remembering or honoring someone.

memorable adjective

Easy to remember because it is special or striking.

Commonly confused: I remembered or remind?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “I remembered”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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