This is to remind you

You will almost always see this at the very beginning of a message. It functions as a 'purpose statement' for your communication. The most common structure is This is to remind you that followed by a full sentence. For example, This is to remind you that the report is due. You can also use it with a noun phrase by adding of. For instance, This is to remind you of our meeting. It works best in written form. If you say it out loud, your tone needs to be very friendly to avoid sounding like a strict school teacher. In an email, it’s a standard 'safe' choice for follow-ups. Just don't use it three times in one day, or you'll go from 'helpful' to 'harassing' real fast.

This phrase lives in the formal and professional world. It is the gold standard for office emails, bank notifications, and official service alerts. You’ll see it in Netflix emails about your subscription or Amazon notifications about a delivery. It’s not meant for friends. Using this with a best friend sounds like you’re trying to fire them from the friendship. It’s too cold for a WhatsApp group chat about Sunday brunch. On the formality scale, it’s a 7 out of 10. It shows respect for the other person's time while maintaining your own authority. It’s the linguistic equivalent of a firm handshake.

Imagine you are a freelance designer. Your client hasn't paid an invoice from last month. You send an email: This is to remind you that invoice #402 is now overdue. It’s clear and leaves no room for confusion. Or, think about a Google Calendar notification. It pops up with: This is to remind you of your dentist appointment in 30 minutes. It’s a functional, helpful prompt. Even LinkedIn uses variations of this to tell you about work anniversaries. In all these cases, the phrase bridges the gap between 'information stored' and 'action required'. It’s the bridge that helps you cross from 'I forgot' to 'I’m on it'.

Use this when there is a clear deadline approaching. It’s perfect for reminding people about meetings, webinars, or flight check-ins. It is also great for policy changes at work. This is to remind you that the office will be closed on Friday. It’s also appropriate for 'next steps' in a process. If someone signed up for a trial on Duolingo and it’s about to end, a This is to remind you email is perfectly fair. It protects you from the other person saying, "But nobody told me!" It’s your 'Get Out of Jail Free' card for communication breakdowns.

Avoid this phrase in highly emotional or casual situations. Don’t use it with your partner regarding the dishes unless you want a very quiet dinner. This is to remind you that you promised to take out the trash is a recipe for an argument. Also, avoid using it with your boss unless you have a very specific, functional reason (like a shared deadline). It can sometimes come across as 'managing up' a bit too aggressively. Finally, don't use it for the first time you are sharing information. You can't 'remind' someone of something they never knew! That’s like 'reminding' a fish to ride a bicycle.

A very common error is forgetting the word to. ✗ This is remind you sounds like a robot malfunctioning. Always keep that to in there! Another mistake is using it for brand-new news. ✗ This is to remind you that I am quitting. If they didn't know you were quitting, you aren't reminding them—you're shocking them! Another nuance is the difference between remind and remember. You remind someone else, but you remember things yourself. ✗ I will remind to bring the keys → ✓ I will remember to bring the keys. Language is tricky, but you’ve got this!

In modern offices, people often soften this phrase to sound more 'team-player' friendly. You’ll often see Just a friendly reminder that... or I wanted to send a quick reminder about... These are the 'yoga pants' version of the phrase—still functional, but a bit more relaxed. In very formal legal documents, you might see Please be advised that... which is the 'bulletproof vest' version. In the UK, you might hear Just a nudge about... which is very polite. In the US, Just checking in on... is a very common way to achieve the same goal without using the word 'remind' at all.

Is it rude? Not if used correctly in a professional setting. It’s actually helpful because it saves the other person from forgetting. Can I use it in a text? Yes, if it's a work-related text, but keep it short. Is Just a reminder better? It's softer and more common in casual offices. Use This is to remind you when you need to be slightly more official. What’s the most common mistake? Mixing up remind and remember. Just remember: remind needs another person involved. You've got this—now go send that (polite) reminder!