Remember + -ing = recall a past event: I remember meeting you in the park (I met you and I remember it). Remember + to = not forget to do something: Remember to call your mother! (Don’t forget.)

Forget + -ing = forget a past event: I’ll never forget hearing the sea for the first time. Forget + to = not do something you need: I forgot to buy bread. Stop + -ing = finish an action: He stopped talking. Stop + to = stop in order to do something: He stopped to talk to me.

“Used to + base verb” is for past habits and states that are not true now: I used to live near the sea. We used to play outside all day. She didn’t use to like tea. Did you use to read comics?

“Would” also describes past habits (not states): Every summer we would visit my grandmother and she would tell us stories. We cannot say “I would live near the sea” for a state.

Memories are strong when we connect them with senses: the smell of fresh bread, the sound of rain on the roof, the feel of warm sand, the taste of my mother’s soup. We say: This smell reminds me of… / This song takes me back to… / I can still hear… / I can still taste…

Useful phrases: It was a long time ago. I was about seven. I can still remember how it felt. Those were the days!

• What is your earliest memory?
• Do you remember your first teacher?
• Do you have a good memory?
• Where did you live as a child?
• Did you play outside?
• What games did you play?
• Who did you play with?
• Do you keep any souvenirs?
• Do you miss your childhood?
• What did you eat as a child?
• Do you remember your school?
• Do you remember your first phone?

• Describe your happiest childhood memory.
• What sound brings back memories?
• What smell reminds you of someone?
• What did you use to do every summer?
• Tell me about a place you miss.
• What do you remember about your first day at school?
• What did you use to dream about?
• What do you remember about your grandparents’ house?
• What song takes you back to your school days?
• Tell me about someone you will never forget.
• What do you wish you hadn’t forgotten?
• How do you remember important things?

• Why are memories important?
• Why do we forget some things and remember others?
• Do you think the past was better than today?
• Can a smell or a song be a time machine? Explain.
• How can we help people who are losing their memory?
• Is it good to live in the past?
• What would you like to remember when you are old?
• If you could relive one day of your life, which would it be?

• What do you remember about your childhood home?
• What did you use to eat for breakfast?
• Did you use to play outside?
• Do you remember meeting your best friend?
• Did you forget to bring something today?
• What do you always remember to do?
• When did you stop playing games?
• Who used to tell you stories?
• What music did you use to listen to?
• Do you still have your childhood toys?
• Where did you use to spend your holidays?
• Who do you miss?

• Do you think we remember the past correctly?
• Would you rather have a perfect memory or forget bad things?
• What if you could erase one memory?
• Is it good to keep old things?
• Which is better: remembering with photos or with sounds?
• Do you think technology makes us forget more?
• Would you like to go back to the past for one day?
• What advice would you give to a person who is sad because of old memories?

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