I don't remember vs I can’t recall

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They convey a similar meaning of not being able to remember something. The choice between them can depend on personal preference or the level of formality required.

Last updated: April 07, 2024 • 583 views

I don't remember

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express the inability to recall something from memory. It is a casual and common way to convey forgetfulness.

Alternatives:

I can't recall
I can't remember
I don't recall
I don't recollect
I can't think of

I can’t recall

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate the inability to remember something. It is slightly more formal than 'I don't remember' and can be used in professional or academic settings.

Show examples from the web [+]

No, I can't recall a Juliet.
Someone may have been with you but I can't recall.
I can't recall the names of certain foods, colors.
But I can't recall what he looked like.
I can't recall, but I know your game.
I can't recall when I've eaten such delicious food for the last time.
After that, I can't recall what happened.
I can't recall my parents ever having touched me, either with caresses or punishments.
I can't recall a thing.
I can't recall any of it.
I can't recall anyone named Wells.
When I close my eyes, I can't recall my face.
I remember it completely... and yet I can't recall any sunrise before it.
Well, I can't recall going to him with a similar problem, but, yes, he'll know what to do.
I stare sometimes at my face and I can't recall who I was before.
I can't recall the last time I was so thankful for the essential avarice of the human condition.
I can't recall a wedding where I didn't end up in the arms of some woman I met that night.
In a thousand years, I can't recall a time I've felt so frightened.
I can't recall much about the man other than stories that he exploded kegs of gunpowder on the Mill River.
I can't recall you ever once, during this time in any way acknowledging my existence.

Alternatives:

I don't remember
I can't remember
I don't recollect
I can't think of
I don't know

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Amazing! I like that the editors are REAL people and not A.I., like some use. The editors actually see clients as real people and not just apart of their job, and it shows. 💖"
moggie April 2025
"TextRanch has been a great help to me, especially at work because I often email my boss."
Jhey April 2025
"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023