Recall vs. Remember

To recall, remember or forget, that is the question. To recall means to bring back to mind, cancel or revoke something. Recall is appropriate for things lacking personal significance. To not recall can imply a lack of concern about forgetting something or convenient memory loss (e.g., dishonesty). To remember means to retain in memory or keep something in mind over long periods of timeWhen sharing matters of the heart, remember can illustrate personal relevance. Consider the following examples:

"I do not recall the year my wife was born.”

"I do not remember the year my husband was born.”

Simply stated, a spouse or significant other may forgive you for not remembering a year, so long as you can recall the month and date.