Meaning of Remember

1. Stressing the first syllable (RE-mem-ber). 2. Stressing the third syllable (ri-mem-BER). 3. Pronouncing the first 'e' as a long 'ee' (ree-mem-ber). 4. Dropping the middle 'm' sound (re-re-ber).

American Pronunciation

In American English, 'remember' is pronounced /rɪˈmɛm.bər/. The primary stress falls on the second syllable 'MEM', and the 'r' at the end is pronounced.

Say it like this: ri-MEM-ber.

British Pronunciation

In British English, it is pronounced /rɪˈmɛm.bə/. The stress is the same, but the final 'r' is typically silent, making the ending a schwa sound.

Say it like this: ri-MEM-ber.

IPA

The IPA transcription is /rɪˈmɛm.bər/. The symbol ˈ indicates primary stress. /r/ is 'r', /ɪ/ is a short 'i', /m/ is 'm', /ɛ/ is a short 'e', /b/ is 'b', and /ər/ is an r-colored schwa.

Syllables

'Remember' has three syllables: re · mem · ber. The breakdown is ri-MEM-ber.

Stress

The primary stress is heavily on the second syllable: ri-MEM-ber. The first and third syllables are unstressed and brief.

Pronunciation Tips

• Stress the second syllable heavily: ri-MEM-ber.
• The first 'e' is a short 'i' sound, like in 'sit'.
• The second 'e' is a short 'e' sound, like in 'bed'.
• Do not stress the first or third syllable (RE-mem-ber or ri-mem-BER are incorrect).
• Keep it to exactly three syllables.
• It rhymes perfectly with 'December', 'September', and 'November'.
• Ensure the middle 'm' is pronounced clearly, not swallowed.
• Practice saying 'Do you remember?' to get the natural rhythm.

Etymology

The word 'remember' comes from the Latin word 'rememorari', meaning 'to remember', which is derived from 're-' (again) and 'memor' (mindful).

History

Entering Middle English in the 14th century via Old French 'remembrer', the word has always carried the core meaning of recalling a fact or event to the mind. Over time, its usage expanded to include the practical sense of not forgetting to perform a future action.

Language Origin

'Remember' has Latin roots. The root 'memor' is also the source of English words like 'memory', 'memorial', 'commemorate', and 'memoir'.

How Meaning Changed Over Time

It shifted from strictly meaning 'recalling a past memory' to also encompassing the forward-looking intention of 'remembering to do a task'. The original sense of mindful recollection is preserved in the word 'remembrance'.

Interesting Historical Facts

The prefix 're-' (again) combined with 'memor' (mindful) literally means to be mindful of something again. This highlights that memory is an active process of retrieval, not a passive storage.

Short Definition

To have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of someone or something from the past; to not forget to do something.

Simple Definition

To remember means to bring a memory back into your mind, or to not forget to do something you planned to do.

Detailed Definition

As a verb, 'remember' has two primary functions. First, it means to retrieve information, an image, or a feeling from the past into one's conscious mind. Second, it means to keep a specific intention or task in mind so that it is actually executed in the future (e.g., 'remember to buy milk'). It can also mean to convey greetings from one person to another.

Student Definition

Remember means not forgetting. If you remember your friend's birthday, you know what day it is. If you remember to do your homework, you actually do it instead of forgetting. It is pulling a memory out of your brain's filing cabinet.

Writer Definition

For writers, 'remember' is a nostalgic and thematic verb that connects characters to their pasts. A character remembering a lost loved one, a past trauma, or a forgotten promise drives internal motivation. Use it to shift narrative timelines through flashbacks or to show a character's struggle with memory and identity.

Verb

A verb expresses an action, occurrence, or state of being. 'Remember' is an action verb that can be transitive ('I remember him') or intransitive ('I can't remember').

How It Functions

As a transitive verb, it takes a direct object ('She remembered the address'). It can also be followed by a gerund ('remember locking the door') or an infinitive ('remember to lock the door').

Grammar Usage

Transitive: 'I remember the song.' Gerund: 'I remember seeing him.' Infinitive: 'Remember to call me.' Intransitive: 'If I remember correctly.'

Sentence Placement

'Remember' follows the subject and any auxiliary verbs. Example: 'I (subject) will (auxiliary) remember (verb) it (object).'

To pronounce "Remember" like a native American English speaker, follow these simple steps.

Step 1: The First Syllable

Start with a quick, unstressed 'ri' sound. The vowel is a short 'i' /ɪ/, like in 'sit'. Keep it very brief and quiet.

Step 2: The Second Syllable

Hit the stressed syllable hard: 'MEM'. Start with the 'm' sound, followed by a short 'e' /ɛ/ as in 'bed', and close with a sharp 'm' again. Say this syllable louder and longer than the others.

Step 3: The Final Syllable

End with a quick, unstressed 'ber' sound. Start with a 'b', move into an r-colored schwa /ər/ (US) or a pure schwa /ə/ (UK). Keep it brief.

Step 4: Put It Together

Say the full word: ri-MEM-ber. Ensure the second syllable dominates the rhythm.

"Remember" has 3 syllables: re·mem·ber.

Breaking the word apart:

• Stress Pattern: Unstressed — Stressed — Unstressed

When you write the word with a syllable break for a dictionary, you write: re·mem·ber.

The IPA transcription of "Remember" is /rɪˈmɛm.bər/. Let's break down each symbol so you can read it confidently.

Put together, the IPA /rɪˈmɛm.bər/ provides a precise guide on how to articulate the word.

Imagine losing your keys. You try to picture where you left them. You think hard, and suddenly, an image of them sitting on the kitchen table pops into your head. That act of retrieving the image is 'remembering'.

Beyond recalling the past, 'remember' is about future intentions. If your mom says, 'Remember to take out the trash', she isn't asking you to recall a past event; she is telling you not to forget to do the chore later. It bridges the gap between intention and action.

A Simple Diagram

The Key Idea

'Remember' is the mental act of retrieval. It connects us to our past by recalling facts and feelings, and secures our future by keeping our intentions alive.

Use "Remember" in the following contexts. It works in various situations, from casual conversation to formal writing. Below are specific examples where the word fits perfectly.

In Conversation

Recalling a shared memory.

Example: "Do you remember that summer we drove to the Grand Canyon?"

In School

Discussing study habits.

Example: "I can't remember all the formulas for the physics test tomorrow."

In an Essay

Analyzing a theme.

Example: "The novel's protagonist constantly remembers his childhood to cope with his present trauma."

In Books

Showing a character's internal state.

Example: "He remembered the way she smiled, and it gave him the courage to keep fighting."

In News

Reporting on anniversaries.

Example: "Today we remember the victims of the earthquake that struck ten years ago."

In Movies

A dramatic reminder.

Example: "Remember your promise to me, she whispered as the train pulled away."

In Presentations

Recalling past data.

Example: "As you may remember from last quarter, our sales were significantly lower."

1. Do Not Confuse 'Remember Doing' with 'Remember to Do'

'I remember locking the door' means you have a memory of doing it in the past. 'I remembered to lock the door' means you didn't forget to do it.

2. Do Not Use 'Remember About'

Do not say 'Remember about the meeting'. Say 'Remember the meeting' or 'Remember to attend the meeting'.

3. Do Not Use 'Remind' for Internal Memory

If you suddenly recall a fact yourself, you 'remember' it. If someone else makes you remember, they 'remind' you. You don't 'remind' yourself a fact, you 'remember' it.

4. Do Not Use for Physical Objects

If you hold a photo, you are 'looking' at it or 'holding' it. You 'remember' the event the photo depicts, not the physical paper itself.

5. Do Not Use as a Noun

You cannot say 'I have a remember of that'. The noun form is 'memory' or 'remembrance'.

6. Do Not Use 'Remember Me To'

While 'remember me to him' is an old idiom for 'say hello for me', it is very dated. Modern speakers say 'Give him my regards' or 'Say hi for me'.

1. Do you remember that summer we drove to the Grand Canyon?
2. I can't remember where I put my car keys this morning.
3. Remember to buy milk on your way home from work.
4. She remembered his face, but couldn't recall his name.
5. I remember being so scared on the first day of high school.
6. Did you remember to turn off the stove before we left?
7. He always remembers my birthday with a card and flowers.
8. I remember the day we first met like it was yesterday.
9. Please remember to feed the cat while I'm out of town.
10. I don't remember agreeing to pay for the whole dinner.

1. I can't remember all the formulas for the physics test tomorrow.
2. The teacher asked us to remember the five causes of the Civil War.
3. Remember to cite your sources in MLA format for the essay.
4. She remembered locking her locker, but her books were still missing.
5. The principal remembered when the school didn't have any computers.
6. Please remember to bring your permission slips for the field trip.
7. I remember studying this chapter last year, but I forgot the details.
8. The professor told the students to remember the deadline for the project.
9. He remembered to raise his hand before asking a question.
10. We read a poem about remembering the sacrifices of soldiers.

1. As you may remember from last quarter, our sales were significantly lower.
2. Remember to CC your manager on all official client emails.
3. The client remembered our previous conversation about the budget constraints.
4. I remembered to attach the presentation to the meeting invite.
5. She always remembers her coworkers' names, which makes her a great leader.
6. Remember that the new compliance regulations go into effect next month.
7. The CEO remembered the early days of the startup fondly.
8. Did you remember to submit your expense report to accounting?
9. I remember him saying he was looking for a new supplier.
10. The board members remembered the challenges they faced during the merger.

1. Today we remember the victims of the earthquake that struck ten years ago.
2. The organization holds a ceremony to remember those who fell in battle.
3. It is important to remember the historical context of these events.
4. The ambassador remembered the treaty signing with great clarity.
5. Please remember to silence your mobile devices during the performance.
6. The philosopher argued that to remember the past is to secure the future.
7. The committee remembered the founder's original mission statement.
8. We remember her not only for her scientific achievements but for her humanity.
9. The author remembers spending her childhood summers in the French countryside.
10. It must be remembered that the data is preliminary and subject to change.

1. Dude, I totally remember you from middle school!
2. Man, I don't remember eating that last slice of pizza.
3. Remember to grab some snacks before the movie starts.
4. I vaguely remember him, but he looks totally different now.
5. Bro, remember to bring the controller for the Xbox.
6. I can't remember the password for this stupid app.
7. She remembered to text me happy birthday, which was sweet.
8. If I remember correctly, the bar is just around the corner.
9. I remember thinking, 'This is the best day of my life.'
10. Just remember, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

1. He remembered the way she smiled, and it gave him the courage to keep fighting.
2. The old man remembered a time when the river ran clear and the forests were thick.
3. She remembered locking the door, yet the heavy oak stood ajar.
4. To remember is to resurrect the dead, if only for a fleeting moment.
5. He tried to remember the lines of the spell, but panic clouded his mind.
6. The village would forever remember the winter the frost never broke.
7. She remembered him as a boy, wild and free, before the war took him.
8. They remembered the promise they had made under the blood-red moon.
9. I remember the silence that followed the explosion, heavier than the noise itself.
10. He remembered too late that the king's trust was as fragile as glass.

Root Word

memor (Latin)

Derived Forms

By adding suffixes, we get: remembrance (noun), rememberable (adjective), unremembered (adjective).

Related Forms

Remember, Remembers, Remembered, Remembering, Remembrance, Memory, Memorial, Memorize, Memoir

Prefix & Root Information

The prefix 'un-' can be added to the past participle to create 'unremembered', meaning forgotten or not kept in memory.

Rule 1: Gerund vs. Infinitive (Crucial)

'Remember + gerund' (-ing) refers to a past action: 'I remember locking the door.' 'Remember + infinitive' (to do) refers to a future task: 'Remember to lock the door.'

Rule 2: Transitive and Intransitive

Transitive: 'She remembered his name.' Intransitive: 'He couldn't remember.' Both are correct.

Rule 3: 'Remember That'

You can introduce a clause with 'that'. Example: 'I remember that we used to play here.' The 'that' is often omitted in speech: 'I remember we used to play here.'

Rule 4: No Preposition for Objects

Do not use 'about' or 'on' when the object is a noun. Say 'I remember the party', not 'I remember about the party'.

Rule 5: Imperative Use

Heavily used as a command: 'Remember to call your mother!' or 'Remember, safety first.'

Correct Spelling

The correct spelling is remember.

Common Misspellings

rember (missing 'e'), remeber (transposing 'e' and 'm'), remember (correct), rememmber (double 'm' in middle), remembr (missing 'e' at end)

Common Typing Mistakes

rwmember (hitting 'w' instead of 'e'), rememver (hitting 'v' instead of 'b'), rrmember (hitting 'r' instead of 'e'), remembee (hitting 'e' instead of 'r'), temember (hitting 't' instead of 'r')

• Stress the second syllable heavily: ri-MEM-ber.
• The first 'e' is a short 'i' sound, like in 'sit'.
• The second 'e' is a short 'e' sound, like in 'bed'.
• Do not stress the first or third syllable (RE-mem-ber or ri-mem-BER are incorrect).
• Keep it to exactly three syllables.
• It rhymes perfectly with 'December', 'September', and 'November'.
• Ensure the middle 'm' is pronounced clearly, not swallowed.
• Practice saying 'Do you remember?' to get the natural rhythm.