We wish to remind you

You will mostly find this phrase at the beginning of a sentence in a formal email or letter. It usually follows a polite opening like "Dear Customer" or "Dear Mr. Smith." After the phrase, you typically use the word that followed by the piece of information the person needs to remember. For example, we wish to remind you that your subscription expires tomorrow. It’s a great tool for follow-up emails after a Zoom call or a LinkedIn outreach. You can also use it in physical mail, like those fancy bank statements that arrive in envelopes you can never seem to open cleanly. It’s perfect for when you need to be a bit of a stickler for the rules without losing your cool.

This phrase sits right at the top of the formality scale. It’s very_formal to formal. You would use this with clients, bosses you don't know well, or government agencies. You would almost never use this with a close colleague on Slack or in a WhatsApp message to your roommate. If you told your friend, we wish to remind you that it is your turn to buy pizza, they would probably think you’ve been replaced by a robot or a very polite ghost. It is best reserved for situations where you need to maintain a professional boundary. It’s the kind of language you’d see in a Netflix terms of service update or a formal notice from a university. It keeps things strictly business.

Imagine you are a freelance graphic designer. A client hasn't paid your last invoice for three weeks. Instead of sending a message saying "Where is my money?", you send an email: We wish to remind you that invoice #402 is now overdue. It sounds professional and less like a threat. Or consider a hotel sending an automated message to a guest: We wish to remind you that check-out time is 11:00 AM. It’s a polite way to tell them to start packing their bags and leave the tiny shampoos alone. You might also see it on a travel vlogging platform where a creator reminds their patrons about an upcoming live stream. It’s about setting expectations clearly while staying incredibly polite.

Use this phrase when the stakes are professional and the topic is a bit sensitive. It’s perfect for payment reminders, upcoming deadlines, or policy changes. If you are working in customer support and need to tell someone they haven't uploaded their ID yet, this is your best friend. It’s also great for formal event invitations where you need to remind guests about a dress code. If you’re sending a message on LinkedIn to someone you’ve never met to remind them of a scheduled introductory call, this phrase helps you look like a serious professional who respects their time. It’s the safe bet whenever you’re worried about sounding too aggressive.

Avoid this phrase in casual settings at all costs. Don't use it with friends, family, or close work buddies. If you use it in a group chat about where to go for drinks, people will think you’re being sarcastic or just plain weird. Also, don't use it if you are actually trying to build a warm, personal connection with a client. In some modern, "disruptor" tech companies, this phrase can feel a bit too stuffy and old-fashioned. If everyone in the office wears hoodies and uses emojis in their emails, stick to Just a friendly reminder. Using we wish to remind you there would be like showing up to a beach party in a three-piece suit—awkward for everyone involved.

A very common mistake is forgetting the word that after the phrase. People sometimes say we wish to remind you your payment instead of we wish to remind you that your payment is due. Another slip-up is using want instead of wish. While we want to remind you isn't grammatically wrong, it loses that special formal polish that makes the phrase effective. Some learners also try to make it even more formal by saying we are wishing to remind you, which just sounds unnatural and clunky. Remember, the phrase is a set piece; keep it simple and don't over-engineer it. Stick to the classic version and you’ll sound like a pro every time.

If we wish to remind you feels a bit too heavy, you can lighten it up. We would like to remind you is slightly softer but still very professional. In modern offices, you’ll often hear This is a friendly reminder that... which is the go-to for Slack or internal emails. If you’re feeling extra British, you might see May we remind you, which is almost painfully polite. On the flip side, if things are getting serious, a company might use Please be reminded that... which is a bit more direct and carries a bit more weight. It’s like the difference between a polite cough and a firm tap on the shoulder. Pick the one that fits your office vibe.

Is this phrase only for bad news? Not at all! It’s just for *important* news. You can use it to remind someone about a fun company party or a holiday bonus. Does it have to be we? Usually, yes. In business, you represent the company. Using I wish to remind you is possible but can feel a bit more personal and sometimes a bit more confrontational. Can I use it in a text? Only if you’re texting your lawyer or someone equally formal. For a text to a friend, it’s a big no-no unless you’re joking. It’s all about matching the energy of the person you’re talking to.