Meaning & use
in memory of
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Meanings
phrasefixed phraseformal
Done or made to honor someone who has died and keep their name remembered.
Grammar: Followed by the person's name: in memory of my grandmother.
Patterns
- in memory of someone
- in loving memory of someone
The bench is dedicated in memory of a beloved teacher.
They planted a tree in memory of their son.
The concert was held in memory of the town's former mayor.
phrasefixed phraseformal
Written on a memorial to show it honors a dead person.
Grammar: Often appears on plaques and gravestones.
Patterns
- in memory of someone
The plaque reads 'In memory of Anna Ross'.
A candle was lit in memory of those who had died.
Donations were collected in memory of the late coach.
Common combinations
- in loving memory of
- The stone says, in loving memory of our dear father.
- a minute's silence in memory of
- We held a minute's silence in memory of the victims.
- donate in memory of
- Friends donated in memory of the late founder.
- in memory of the fallen
- The wreath was laid in memory of the fallen.
- a fund in memory of
- They set up a scholarship fund in memory of her brother.
Synonyms and how they differ
- in honor of
- In honor of can be used for the living as well as the dead, while in memory of is only for people who have died.
- in remembrance of
- In remembrance of is more formal and solemn, often used in church or at ceremonies.
- in tribute to
- In tribute to stresses admiration and can apply to an achievement as well as a person.
- to commemorate
- To commemorate is a verb and fits events as much as people.
Word family
- memory noun
- the ability to remember, or something remembered
- memorial noun
- a structure or event honoring a person or event
- commemorate verb
- to honor a person or event publicly
- memorialize verb
- to create a memorial for something
Commonly confused: in memory of or in honor of?
in memory of vs in honor of
Use in honor of for living people too; in memory of always implies the person has died.
Practice
Which person would you NOT describe using 'in memory of'?
Choose one answer.
In memory of is only for the dead; for a living person, use in honor of.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “in memory of”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.