What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
evocation
Example
The smell of freshly baked cookies evoked memories of my childhood. [evoked: past tense verb]
Example
The painting was an evocation of the artist's hometown, capturing its essence and spirit. [evocation: noun]
recollection
Example
I have a vague recollection of meeting her at a party once. [recollection: noun]
Example
He recollected the events of that day with great clarity. [recollected: past tense verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Recollection is more commonly used than evocation in everyday language, as it is a more general term for memory retrieval. Evocation is less common and is typically used in artistic or literary contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between evocation and recollection?
Both evocation and recollection can be used in formal and informal contexts, but evocation may be more associated with artistic or literary language, while recollection is more versatile and can be used in various contexts.
