The phrase "awful reminder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that serves as a negative or unpleasant reminder of a past event or situation.
Example: "The anniversary of the accident was an awful reminder of how fragile life can be."
Alternatives: "terrible reminder" or "dreadful reminder".
THE explosions in London on July 7th were an awful reminder of how difficult it is to predict such events.
She sent it to me immediately after I'd signed my Monarchy contract with Channel 4. It's an awful reminder of the temptation to sell out.
But the occasion is an awful reminder that, between them, they share less than eight years of experience in public office — and seven of them are on Kim's side.
Everyone knows how strongly this idea resonates, not just because most adults have experienced adolescent powerlessness themselves, but because it offers an awful reminder of Columbine, Colo., where two alienated teenage outcasts took revenge on their more popular classmates in a bloody high school rampage.
"The growing number of attacks on British and U.S. forces in recent weeks is an awful reminder to us all that winning the peace in Iraq is as important as, and even more difficult than, winning the war," said Charles Kennedy, leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition.
This tweet serves as an awful reminder that I accidentally "Followed" you.
This is a painful, painful reminder that awful things can happen when that occurs.
This not-too-distant history is a painful reminder -- I guess only to black people -- of the awful history of racism in America.
Many scars incorporate all that's scary, that's worrisome, that's painful, that's awful -- reminders of fear and worry of 'what if,' and the hope and prayer of 'what now.' And some scars, many -- from childbirth, to sports, to a personal deep life passion show the beauty of a life well lived, a life of risks, a life of attempting something new.
For a person as unhappy and hate-filled as Hedda, the villa's luxury, beauty, and comfort — Ibsen's stage directions emphasize the carpeting — are an awful oppression, perpetual reminders of what she lacks and, therefore, what she must attack and spoil.
It opens with a reminder of the awful 1990s wars in the former Yugoslovia.
