Remembering vs. Remember — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 4, 2024
Remembering involves the ongoing process of recalling past events or information, while "remember" is the action of bringing something back to mind.
Difference Between Remembering and Remember
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Remembering is an active process where the brain continuously retrieves and maintains information from the past. Whereas, "remember" is a verb that describes the specific act of recalling this information, often used when the action occurs at a particular moment.
Remembering can last over an extended period and involves more than just a momentary recall. On the other hand, "remember" can suggest a spontaneous or deliberate effort to think back to a specific event or detail when prompted.
Remembering often suggests a state or condition, such as in psychological studies focusing on memory retention and the factors affecting it. Whereas "remember" is typically used in everyday language focusing on the immediate act of recalling.
The process of remembering can be influenced by various cognitive factors like attention, emotion, and environmental cues. In contrast, to remember something usually involves a direct trigger or a conscious effort to retrieve a particular piece of information.
Remembering is part of a broader cognitive function that can be measured and analyzed in memory-related research and experiments. On the other hand, "remember" is often found in instructional contexts or when giving directions, emphasizing the action rather than the ongoing process.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The process of memory retention.
The act of recalling memory.
Usage in Language
Often used as a noun (gerund).
Commonly used as a verb.
Duration
Can be ongoing.
Occurs at a specific moment.
Contextual Usage
Psychological and cognitive discussions.
Everyday language and instructions.
Cognitive Involvement
Involves complex brain functions.
Can be a simple, spontaneous act.
Compare with Definitions
Remembering
In psychology, the ongoing process involved in storing and recalling information.
Remembering details from a crime scene is crucial for witnesses.
Remember
To return to a previous thought or topic.
Remember what we discussed yesterday?
Remembering
The capacity to recall or retain information over time.
Good remembering skills are essential for learning languages.
Remember
To recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory.
Remember to lock the door when you leave.
Remembering
The continuous action of recalling past events or information.
Remembering her childhood brought her joy.
Remember
To mention or refer to.
I remember reading about that theory.
Remembering
The act of keeping someone or something in mind over a period.
She was good at remembering birthdays.
Remember
To have a recollection or memory of.
Do you remember the face of the person you saw?
Remembering
The mental state of having past experiences or learned information readily available.
His remembering of historical dates is impressive.
Remember
To retain in the memory; keep in mind.
Remember the good times we had.
Remembering
To recall to the mind with effort; think of again
I finally remembered the address.
Remember
To recall to the mind with effort; think of again
I finally remembered the address.
Remembering
To have (something) arise in one's memory; become aware of (something) suddenly or spontaneously
Then I remembered that today is your birthday.
Remember
To have (something) arise in one's memory; become aware of (something) suddenly or spontaneously
Then I remembered that today is your birthday.
Remembering
To retain in the memory
Remember your appointment.
Remember
To retain in the memory
Remember your appointment.
Remembering
To keep (someone) in mind as worthy of consideration or recognition.
Remember
To keep (someone) in mind as worthy of consideration or recognition.
Remembering
To reward with a gift or tip
Remembered his niece in his will.
Remember
To reward with a gift or tip
Remembered his niece in his will.
Remembering
To give greetings from
Remember me to your family.
Remember
To give greetings from
Remember me to your family.
Remembering
(Engineering) To return to (an original shape or form) after being deformed or altered. Used especially of certain materials.
Remember
(Engineering) To return to (an original shape or form) after being deformed or altered. Used especially of certain materials.
Remembering
(Archaic) To remind.
Remember
(Archaic) To remind.
Remembering
To have or use the power of memory.
Remember
To have or use the power of memory.
Remembering
To recall something; have a recollection.
Remember
To recall something; have a recollection.
Remembering
Present participle of remember
Remember
To recall from one's memory; to have an image in one's memory.
Remembering
The act by which something is remembered.
Remember
To memorize; to put something into memory.
Please remember this formula!
Remembering
The cognitive processes whereby past experience is remembered;
He can do it from memory
He enjoyed remembering his father
Remember
To keep in mind, be mindful of
Remember what I've said.
Remember
To not forget (to do something required)
Remember to lock the door when you go out.
Remember
To convey greetings from.
Please remember me to your brother.
She asks to be remembered to you all.
Remember
(obsolete) To put in mind; to remind (also used reflexively)
Remember
(intransitive) To engage in the process of recalling memories.
You don't have to remind him; he remembers very well.
Remember
(transitive) To give (a person) money as a token of appreciation of past service or friendship.
My aunt remembered me in her will, leaving me several thousand pounds.
Remember
(transitive) to commemorate, to have a remembrance ceremony
Today we remember and honour those who have served.
Remember
(rare) re-member
Remember
To have (a notion or idea) come into the mind again, as previously perceived, known, or felt; to have a renewed apprehension of; to bring to mind again; to think of again; to recollect; as, I remember the fact; he remembers the events of his childhood; I cannot remember dates.
We are said to remember anything, when the idea of it arises in the mind with the consciousness that we have had this idea before.
Remember
To be capable of recalling when required; to keep in mind; to be continually aware or thoughtful of; to preserve fresh in the memory; to attend to; to think of with gratitude, affection, respect, or any other emotion.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
That they may have their wages duly paid 'em,And something over to remember me by.
Remember what I warn thee; shun to taste.
Remember
To put in mind; to remind; - also used reflexively and impersonally.
My friends remembered me of home.
Remember you of passed heaviness.
And well thou wost [knowest] if it remember thee.
Remember
To mention.
Remember
To recall to the mind of another, as in the friendly messages, remember me to him, he wishes to be remembered to you, etc.
Remember
To execise or have the power of memory; as, some remember better than others.
Remember
Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection;
I can't remember saying any such thing
I can't think what her last name was
Can you remember her phone number?
Do you remember that he once loved you?
Call up memories
Remember
Keep in mind for attention or consideration;
Remember the Alamo
Remember to call your mother every day!
Think of the starving children in India!
Remember
Recapture the past; indulge in memories;
He remembered how he used to pick flowers
Remember
Show appreciation to;
He remembered her in his will
Remember
Mention favourably, as in prayer;
Remember me in your prayers
Remember
Mention as by way of greeting or to indicate friendship;
Remember me to your wife
Remember
Exercise, or have the power of, memory;
After the shelling, many people lost the ability to remember
Some remember better than others
Remember
Call to remembrance; keep alive the memory of someone or something, as in a ceremony;
We remembered the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz
Remember the dead of the First World War
Common Curiosities
Can "remembering" be used in place of "remember"?
No, "remembering" and "remember" serve different grammatical purposes and contexts.
How does "remember" function in a sentence?
"Remember" functions as a verb, often used to command or encourage someone to recall something specifically.
Is remembering always a conscious process?
Remembering can be both conscious and subconscious, depending on the context and the depth of memory involved.
What is the main difference between remembering and remember?
Remembering is a continuous memory process, while "remember" refers to the act of recalling something specific.
What makes remembering a complex cognitive process?
Remembering involves various brain functions including retention, retrieval, and cognitive reconstruction of past experiences.
What are practical ways to improve our "remember" ability?
Techniques like mnemonic devices, repetition, and associating memories with physical actions can improve the ability to remember.
How can technology aid in remembering?
Technology like reminder apps and digital calendars can help individuals remember appointments and important dates.
How do psychologists study remembering?
Psychologists use various methods like memory tests and recall exercises to study the processes and effectiveness of remembering.
Does remembering always involve accuracy?
Not always; remembering can sometimes be influenced by biases or altered by new information.
Why is it important to remember historical events?
Remembering historical events helps societies learn from the past and shape future decisions and policies.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
