What is the difference between I don't know and I don't remember?
Asked by: Prof. Elva Lesch | Last update: August 19, 2023Score: 4.7/5 (13 votes)
'I don't remember' indicates that in the past you did know (whatever is in question); however, at this moment you are unable to recall it. (I.e. You have forgotten.) 'I don't know' usually means that you don't know now, and you have never known. (So there was never anything to forget.)
What is the difference between don't know and don't remember?
Our hypothesis, as noted above, is that not remembering is used to describe the experience of not being able to access information at the moment and not knowing is used to describe the experience of not having the information in memory.
Is it acceptable to say I don t know or I don t remember?
Again, you want to be truthful, you want to speak the truth, and you want to give intelligible answers to the questions that are being asked, but if you don't know or you don't remember, that's fine. You just say, “I don't know” or “I don't recall.”
Is it correct to say I can't remember?
2 Answers. 'I can't remember' is used when you need to show some difficulty in remembering(in general due to some conditions e.g. I can't remember when he told me about the Coffee Plan as I was busy in watching television.) 'I don't remember' is a negative in simple present. It is used for giving normal replies.
What is the difference between I don't know and I don't recall?
Unlike saying "I don't know," which affirmatively states a lack of any knowledge, not recalling something implies that you may or may not have ever known anything, but as you sit there, you are unable to call forth a specific recollection. You may know, you just don't remember at the moment.
Basic English Grammar - Do, Does, Did, Don't, Doesn't, Didn't
What does recall vs remember mean?
Remember may mean “to bring to mind or think of again,” recall “to bring back to mind,” and recollect “to bring back to the level of conscious awareness.” There are circumstances in which any of these three words are interchangeable with any of the others, and other circumstances in which one or more of these words ...
Is it perjury to say I don't recall?
Any answer – even “I don't recall” – must be truthful
If you don't “recall” something you've talked or otherwise communicated with people about, it may only be a matter of time before that comes to light and you could face a perjury charge.
How do you professionally say I don't remember?
“Let me check — I want to make sure I give you accurate information.” “I would need to consult my team/a coworker/higher authority.” “Great question — I would need to reflect on this.” “I can't remember off the top of my head — I'll have to check that out and let you know.”
How do you politely say I don't remember?
- “I lost my train of thought.”
- “It slipped my mind.”
- “It's on the tip of my tongue!”
- “It doesn't ring a bell.”
- “It went in one ear and out the other.”
- “Can you refresh my memory?”
- “I had a senior moment.”
How do you use don't remember in a sentence?
I DON'T remember much about my middle school years. I DON'T remember the last glass of wine my husband and I shared, the last shot or cocktail. I DON'T remember how old I was when I first climbed up to the roof of my family's home in suburban Maryland.
Is I don't know a bad answer?
Most of the time it's no big deal when you don't have a solid answer right away. But sometimes a question can really stump you, and defaulting to “I don't know” or “I'll get back to you,” can risk diminishing your credibility–especially if those are your go-to responses every single time you're put on the spot at work.
Is it bad to say I don't know?
And yet, since it's impossible to know everything, sometimes you just won't know the answer to something. Actually, it's something that could probably happen several times a day, and that's okay. Being able to say “I don't know” comfortably and with confidence might even be a lot better for your professional prospects.
What is a smart way of saying I don't know?
I'm not sure. I have no idea/I haven't a clue/ I haven't got the faintest idea/ I haven't got the foggiest idea (These expressions are the most common, and are used when you have no information and you cannot guess the answer to a question)
Why do you remember dumb stuff but forget important stuff?
Sometimes, you remember the most unimportant things. Why do we remember those things, and not the important stuff? "The brain uses a number of automatic mechanisms to determine what information to retain. Everything else naturally fades away."
Is it OK to not remember things?
It's normal to forget things once in a while as we age, but serious memory problems make it hard to do everyday things like driving, using the phone, and finding your way home.
What is the importance of saying I don't know?
It Provides a Chance To Learn
Admitting that you have a knowledge gap gives others a chance to share thoughts and ideas. Allow your staff a chance to come to the rescue; solicit their suggestions. In a scenario that doesn't present a straightforward or clear answer, there may be many possible solutions.
What's another word for doesn't remember?
On this page you'll find 21 synonyms, antonyms, and words related to fail to remember, such as: blow, obliterate, clean forget, consign to oblivion, dismiss from mind, and disremember.
What to say when someone says they don t remember you?
Smile, remind her of your connection, re-re-re-introduce yourself, and wish her a pleasant day. And then enjoy the rest of yours.
What's a better way of saying remember?
Some common synonyms of remember are recall, recollect, remind, and reminisce. While all these words mean "to bring an image or idea from the past into the mind," remember implies a keeping in memory that may be effortless or unwilled.
Why is it hard to say I don't know?
A lot of people want to look knowledgeable as part of their self-image. That explains why they find it hard to say they don't know: not knowing doesn't align with their self-image.
How do you say I remember in a formal way?
- recall formal. I don't recall arranging a time to meet.
- recollect formal. I didn't recollect having seen him.
- remind. Every time we meet he reminds me about the money he lent me.
- come back to. ...
- reminisce formal. ...
- keep/bear something in mind. ...
- stick in your mind informal.
Can you just say I don't know in court?
Instead the better practice is to say “I'm not sure” or “I don't know.” If you are unsure about an answer you cannot then answer the question.
When a witness says I don't remember?
A witness cannot, however, repeatedly answer “I don't recall” to avoid truthfully answering questions. Being deliberately obstructive could result in a contempt finding, sanctions and even criminal punishment. Any deponent is under an obligation to provide truthful and accurate testimony under oath.
Is mistake of fact an excuse defense?
Under mistake of fact, the defendant contends that they did not have criminal intent because of a misunderstanding regarding a particular fact. Mistake of fact and mistake of law are both valid legal defenses a defendant might use to challenge certain criminal charges.