Verb A2 — Elementary /rɪˈmem.bə/

Remember — Definition, Examples & Usage

To have something in your memory; to keep in mind; to think of the past.

Quick Definition

Remember (verb) — to have something in your memory; to keep a fact or task in mind; to think about a person or event from the past. Example: Do you remember the rule for using articles?

What Does Remember Mean?

Remember enters English from Old French remembrer, which traces back to Latin rememorari — built from re- (again) and memor (mindful), the same root that gives us memory, memorial, and commemorate. It arrived in Middle English around the 14th century and quickly became one of the most common verbs in the language.

The verb has three closely related senses. First, it describes retrieving something from long-term memory: I remember her voice perfectly. Second, it means keeping a future action in mind — essentially "don't forget": Remember to save your work. Third, it is used when thinking with warmth or respect about a person from the past: We gathered to remember those who had served.

A key point for ESL learners is the contrast between remember + gerund (past memory of an action) and remember + infinitive (keeping a future duty in mind). This distinction is tested at B1 and above and is one of the most reliable markers of grammatical accuracy.

Example Sentences

SentenceLevel & usage note
I remember my first English teacher.A2 — simple past memory, direct object (noun phrase)
Do you remember the rule for using articles?B1 — question form, direct object (noun phrase)
She remembers studying for that exam all night.B1 — remember + gerund (memory of a past action)
Please remember to switch off the lights before you leave.B2 — remember + infinitive (keep future task in mind)
I vaguely remember having read something to that effect, though I cannot recall the source.C1 — adverb modifier, perfect gerund, formal register

Collocations

CollocationExample
clearly rememberI clearly remember the day we moved house.
vaguely rememberI vaguely remember meeting him at a conference.
fondly rememberShe fondly remembers her years at university.
barely rememberHe was so young that he barely remembers it.
remember correctlyIf I remember correctly, the deadline is Friday.
remember wellI remember it well — it was a cold winter morning.
as far as I can rememberAs far as I can remember, we have never met.
worth rememberingThat phrase is well worth remembering.
remember to doDid you remember to lock the car?
remember doingI don't remember signing that form.

Usage Notes

Gerund vs Infinitive — the Key Distinction

  • Remember + gerund refers to a memory you have of a past action: "I remember locking the door" means you have a mental image of doing it.
  • Remember + infinitive means to keep a task in mind for the future: "Remember to lock the door" is a reminder not to forget.
  • This contrast (shared with forget, stop, and try) is tested in Cambridge B1 Preliminary and above.
  • In formal or literary writing, remember can take a that-clause: Remember that tenses in reported speech shift back one step.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I remember to visit Paris when I was a child.

I remember visiting Paris when I was a child. (past memory = gerund)

She reminded to call the doctor.

She remembered to call the doctor. (or: She reminded me to call the doctor — note: remind requires an object)

Can you remember me about the meeting?

Can you remind me about the meeting? (remember yourself; remind someone else)

Related Words

memory (n) forget (v) remind (v) recall (v) memorable (adj) remembrance (n) unforgettable (adj)

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “remember”

What does remember mean?
Remember means to have something stored in your memory and to be able to bring it back to mind. It can also mean to keep something in mind for the future ('Remember to lock the door') or to think about someone or something from the past ('I remember my first day at school').
What is the difference between remember and recall?
Remember is the everyday word for retrieving information from memory: 'I remember her name.' Recall is slightly more formal and implies a more deliberate or effortful mental search: 'I can't recall exactly what was said.' In most conversational contexts, remember is the natural choice.
Do you use remember with a gerund or an infinitive?
Both are correct but the meaning changes. 'Remember doing something' refers to a memory of a past action: 'I remember locking the door' (I have a memory of doing it). 'Remember to do something' refers to keeping a future task in mind: 'Remember to lock the door' (don't forget to do it).
What is the past tense of remember?
The past tense is remembered: 'She remembered the answer at the last moment.' The past participle is also remembered: 'I have always remembered that advice.' Remember is a regular verb, so it simply adds -ed in all past forms.
What is the difference between remember and remind?
Remember is something you do yourself — your own mind retrieves a memory. Remind is something someone else does for you — they cause you to remember: 'Can you remind me to call her?' You cannot say 'She remembered me to call' — you must say 'She reminded me to call'.
Can remember be used in the passive voice?
Remember is rarely used in the passive. Instead of saying 'She is remembered' (which is possible in formal or literary contexts: 'He is remembered as a great leader'), it is more natural to use an active construction. The passive form 'to be remembered' appears mainly in ceremonial or obituary language.
What are common collocations with remember?
Common collocations include: clearly remember, vaguely remember, fondly remember, barely remember, remember fondly, remember well, remember correctly, and remember doing. In phrases: as far as I can remember, if I remember rightly, worth remembering.
What is the noun form of remember?
The noun form is remembrance (the act of remembering or honouring someone's memory): 'a service of remembrance'. A related informal noun is memory. The verb remember itself has no direct single-word noun equivalent — use memory or recollection instead.
What is the origin of the word remember?
Remember comes from Old French remembrer, which in turn derives from Latin rememorari — from re- (again) and memor (mindful), related to memoria (memory). It entered Middle English around the 14th century. The same Latin root gives us memory, memorial, and commemorate.
How can I practise using remember in English?
Use LexFizz's Complete the Sentence exercise to choose between remember + gerund and remember + infinitive in context. The Flash Cards tool lets you test remember alongside related vocabulary such as recall, remind, and forget. Keeping a vocabulary journal — writing your own sentences with remember — is also highly effective.