Advantages of "I don't recall..." When politicians are accused of anything, it is common for them to remark, "I don't recall doing X." In English, expressing I don't recall suggests that you may have made a mistake. But, literally, whatever you say at any moment might be inaccurate since you're human and your memory is flawed. Using this response is thus quite prudent. Disadvantages of "I don't recall..." The main disadvantage of this response is that it gives the impression that you aren't sure if what you are saying is true. You can't remember something that has never happened. For example, suppose that a politician is asked by a reporter if they approved a deal during their last term as minister. If they reply "I don't recall" people will think that they are hiding something. Even if they really didn't know about the deal, it's better to admit it quickly. Furthermore, if you use this response too often people will no longer believe you when you do recall something. For example, if a politician says they don't recall whether or not they approved a deal but then later admits that they did approve it, people will stop believing them when they say they don't recall other things they considered important at the time. Finally, using this response too often can be harmful because it shows that you aren't confident in your own memory.