May we remind you that

You will almost always find this at the start of a sentence. It is followed by a clause starting with that. For example: May we remind you that smoking is prohibited. Notice how it sounds much softer than 'No smoking.' In written English, it is a staple of emails, letters, and official announcements. Think of it as a signal. When you hear these five words, pay attention! Something important (usually a rule or a bill) is about to follow. It is best used for 'one-way' communication where you have a bit more power than the listener—like a company talking to a client.

This phrase is strictly formal. If you use this with your best friend, they will probably think you are joking or that you have been replaced by a robot. It belongs in the world of business, legal documents, and high-end service industries. In linguistic terms, we call this the 'high register.' It uses the modal verb may to show extreme politeness. While can we asks about ability, may we asks for permission. It is a social dance! You are essentially saying: 'Please allow us to tell you what you already should know.' It is the ultimate tool for corporate politeness. If a CEO sends you an email starting with this, they aren't being friendly—they are being legally precise.

You will encounter this in your inbox more often than in a conversation. An airline might say: May we remind you that boarding closes in ten minutes. Or a subscription service like Netflix might email: May we remind you that your payment method has expired. Even on social media, you might see a formal brand response: May we remind you that our terms of service were updated. It is everywhere in the world of professional boundaries. Even on a cruise ship or at a high-end spa, the signs often use this phrase to enforce rules without ruining the 'luxury vibe' of the experience. It keeps the atmosphere calm while ensuring the rules are followed.

Use this when you are in a professional role. Maybe you are a virtual assistant, a teacher, or a customer support representative. It is perfect for delicate situations. If a client has forgotten to sign a contract, May we remind you that sounds much better than 'Hey, you forgot to sign!' It is also great for general announcements. If you are hosting a webinar on Zoom and need people to mute their mics, this phrase is your best friend. It sounds authoritative but kind. It shows you are a pro who knows the rules of the game. Use it when you want to be taken seriously.

Never use this when you are angry—or at least, not if you want to sound reasonable. Because it is so formal, it can sound extremely passive-aggressive if used in the wrong context. Imagine your roommate hasn't done the dishes. If you say, 'May we remind you that it is your turn,' they might throw a sponge at you. It is also too heavy for casual emails. If you are emailing a colleague you chat with every day, stick to 'Just a quick reminder.' Using the 'we' in may we when you are just one person also feels a bit strange in casual settings. Keep it for official business only!

Learners often mix this up with other 'remind' phrases. A common slip-up is saying 'May we remind you to that.' Remember: if you use that, you need a full sentence following it. Another error is using can instead of may. While people will understand you, it loses that 'gentleman/lady' professional touch.

If May we remind you that feels a bit too 'Old World' for you, there are modern alternatives. We would like to remind you that is slightly more common in modern American business. Please be advised that is even more formal—it sounds almost like a legal threat! On the softer side, you have Just a gentle reminder that. If you are writing a quick DM on Slack, you might just say Friendly nudge that. The choice depends on how much 'distance' you want between you and the person you are reminding. The more words you use, the more formal it usually is!

Is it a question? Grammatically, yes. It ends with a question mark in some contexts, but usually, it is treated as a polite statement. Do I have to say 'we' if I am one person? Yes, in a business context, 'we' represents the company. Is it polite? Yes, it is the politest way to be annoying! Why do British people love it? It is the ultimate expression of British 'polite distance.' Is it okay for TikTok captions? Only if you are being ironic or pretend-posh. Does it sound like I'm lecturing? A little bit, but that's often the point of a reminder!