Imprint onto

Question

Hi,"In the lead-up to an exam I read through my notes more times to really imprint them onto my mind."I was wondering if the word 'cement' could be used in that scenario. I was once told on this forum by someone that it wasn't, but then I was listening to a podcast where a native speaker said something along the lines of this:"That really cemented the whole thing in my memory."If 'cement' isn't okay, is there anything else except for 'imprint' I could use?I know that I can say that something 'becomes ingrained in one's mind', but that's passive. I'm actually aware of a few other options like 'make it stick', but I'm curious to know what you think.Thank you.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

Ann225"In the lead-up to an exam I read through my notes more times to really imprint them onto my mind."

"More times" is unnatural. Try "several more times".

Ann225I was wondering if the word 'cement' could be used in that scenario. I was once told on this forum by someone that it wasn't, but then I was listening to a podcast where a native speaker said something along the lines of this:"That really cemented the whole thing in my memory."

Nah. There are people who get paid to write such things, and they would not use "cement" that way. You can find just about anything if you search the Internet long enough. I would try to justify my rejection of that use, but I doubt it would help you. Just let me say that a figurative use has to make sense in a literal way in addition to the figurative. What does it mean to cement something in something? That's not even idiomatic.

Ann225If 'cement' isn't okay, is there anything else except for 'imprint' I could use?

Lots and lots of things, like "burn it into my memory".

Ann225I know that I can say that something 'becomes ingrained in one's mind', but that's passive. I'm actually aware of a few other options like 'make it stick', but I'm curious to know what you think.

"Make it stick" is an expression that means to achieve full reality and permanence for it. A detective might bring a charge against a criminal, but he needs evidence to make it stick. You can make your notes stick in your head or stick in your mind, though.

Imprint onto

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions