English Vocabulary for learners
Expressions: Remembering, Forgetting, I don't know
Here are some common phrases and expressions to say 'I remember', 'I forget' or 'I don't know''.
- REMEMBERING
- As I recall …
- I seem to remember that …
- If my memory serves me well …
- Now that I come to think of it …
- As far as I can remember …
- That brings to mind …
- If I’m not mistaken …
- Unless I’m mistaken …
- I have a vague recollection of …
- That rings a bell.
- I have memories of …
- I can clearly/vivedly remember …
- I distinctly remember …
- I’ll never forget when …
- FORGETTING
- I have no recollection of that.
- I don’t recall that.
- It (completely) slipped my mind.
- I forgot all about it.
- That doesn’t ring a bell at all.
- I fail to remember.
- It escaped my memory.
- I’m afraid I’ve got a short memory.
- I'm a bit absent-minded these days. I can't remember.
- Can you refresh/jog my memory?
- It’s on the tip of my tongue but I can't remember.
- My mind went blank and I couldn't answer.
- I lost my train of thought.
- I had a senior moment.
- It went in one ear and out the other!
- I’d forget my head if it wasn’t attached!
- I have a brain like a sieve these days!
- WAYS TO SAY "I DON'T KNOW"
- I’m afraid I don’t know.
- I wish I knew, but I’ve got no idea!
- I haven’t got the faintest/the slightest/the foggiest idea!
- To be quite honest I haven’t got a clue!
- I must admit I don’t know much about that… but let me find out for you.
- I don’t know, but I can make a few enquiries.
- I’m not sure I can answer your question. I need to think about it.
- That’s a good question but I’m afraid I can’t answer it.
- Quite frankly it’s a mystery to me!
- I have to say it’s beyond me. I simply don’t know!
- I‘d love to be of help but unfortunately I don’t have the answer.
- I don’t know, but let me get back to you with the answer.
- I’m not sure, but off the top of my head I’d say …
- Well, I don’t really know, but here’s my hypothesis for what it’s worth…
- I can’t answer that but I'll look into it and tell you what I find.
- I'm not the best person to answer that. I suggest you talk to …
- Here’s what I know, but Tom may be able to give you more information.