Remember vs Recall
Remember and recall are words in English language that are very similar in meaning. There are many who feel that the two words are synonymous and make use of these words interchangeably. However, the words are not same, and you cannot use them interchangeably. This article attempts to highlight the differences between remember and recall, to enable readers to use these words according to the context.
Remember
Both remember and recall are terms that require an individual to recollect or call to his memory. If you remember a person, it means you have not forgotten him and have him in your memory. It simply refers to the fact that you have retained the information in your mind or brain. Take a look at the following examples.
• Do you remember me?
• I remember that I visited the place when I came here with my wife on my honeymoon
• Please remember to call the doctor
Recall
Recall is a term that refers to the fact of retrieval. When you recall, you suddenly remember a fact and go on to tell others about it. The event, fact, or any other information that is recalled is already stored inside the brain; the word merely reflects the fact of retrieval. Take a look at the following examples.
• As far as I can recall, I have never been to this place
• I recall you being the captain of the college team in the year 1983
• The product was recalled by the company
• He was recalled in the national team
What is the difference between Remember and Recall?
Remember and recall are both associated with the act of recollecting the fact or information from the brain. However, remember is used in situations where the information is already there and the word refers to the fact that the act or the information has not been forgotten. On the other hand, recall is a word that refers to the act of retrieval from the brain for information that is already there.