came as a reminder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "came as a reminder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to something that serves to remind someone of a particular fact, event, or obligation. Example: "The sudden rainstorm came as a reminder that we should always carry an umbrella."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Military and police officials were surprised by the attack, which came as a reminder of a volatile security situation despite recent peace initiatives with Islamist rebels.

The Guardian

But Mr. Spano's revival of the 1991 version for string orchestra and light percussion came as a reminder that "Fratres" is not as simple as its calm surface suggests.

The New York Times - Arts

Their tiny size, and the disproportionate brutality with which they were put down, came as a reminder that Iranians have rarely been so sullenly apathetic, or the forces of suppression so strong.

The Economist

Shortly after, "A Catskill Brook" painted by Worthington Whittredge in the late 1860s or early 1870s came as a reminder of the fascination exercised upon Hudson School artists by French Barbizon painters.

The New York Times - Arts

But in some parts of the country the new relationship with China came as a reminder of the unwelcome side-effects of the boom.As Ms Gillard signed up to the partnership in Beijing with Li Keqiang, China's prime minister, South Australia was hit by the latest blow to its economy.

The Economist

It was a symbolic blow for a Democratic party (PD) that had been riding high since its unprecedented victory in the European elections last month, and came as a reminder that, even with the 41% his party won in that poll, 39-year-old prime minister Matteo Renzi is far from invincible.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

The Times' Betsy Sharkey says "Focus" comes as "an irresistible reminder of all the reasons we first fell for the Fresh Prince so many years ago".

Los Angeles Times

Christmas Eve comes as a reminder of things done and things undone.

The New York Times

The powerful likeness comes as a reminder that Van Dongen was one of the last great painters in the West with a masterly aptitude at psychological probing.

The New York Times - Arts

It also comes as a reminder that the warming of Earth's surface is occurring much faster at the poles than it is in more temperate regions.

The New York Times

The comments come as a reminder of the Catholic Church's uncompromising views on matters of conscience and belief, following a series of rows about it's opposition to more temporal issues like same sex relationships, abortion, and contraception.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "came as a reminder" to subtly reintroduce a key point or context, especially when addressing potentially overlooked information.

Common error

Avoid using "came as a reminder" repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your phrasing to maintain reader engagement and prevent the writing from sounding monotonous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "came as a reminder" functions as an idiomatic expression used to describe something that prompts recollection or reinforces awareness of a fact, situation, or obligation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Arts

20%

Sport

20%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "came as a reminder" is a grammatically correct and usable expression that introduces a fact or situation being brought back to someone's attention. Ludwig AI confirms this. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts, serving to re-emphasize information, and maintains a neutral register appropriate for formal and informal writing. While "served as a reminder" or "acted as a reminder" are suitable alternatives, it’s important to avoid overuse to keep writing engaging. The phrase effectively bridges past knowledge with present circumstances, ensuring key information remains salient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

served as a reminder

Replaces "came" with "served", emphasizing the action of reminding.

acted as a reminder

Substitutes "came" with "acted", highlighting the role or function of reminding.

was a stark reminder

Adds "stark" to emphasize the blunt or harsh nature of the reminder.

stood as a reminder

Uses "stood" to suggest the reminder is prominent or significant.

offered a reminder

Emphasizes the act of providing a reminder, potentially with a softer tone.

prompted a memory

Focuses on the activation of a memory rather than a direct reminder.

brought to mind

Shifts the focus to the act of recalling something.

rekindled the thought

Suggests a previously forgotten idea is brought back.

served to jog the memory

Highlights the action of stimulating recall.

was a wake-up call

Implies the reminder was a necessary alert to a problem or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "came as a reminder" in a sentence?

Use "came as a reminder" to indicate that something served to bring a fact or situation back to someone's attention. For example: "The power outage /s/came+as+a+reminder of how reliant we are on electricity."

What are some alternatives to "came as a reminder"?

You can use alternatives such as "served as a reminder", "acted as a reminder", or "was a stark reminder" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "came as a reminder" in formal writing?

Yes, "came as a reminder" is suitable for formal writing. It is a clear and professional way to indicate that something has prompted a recollection or renewed awareness.

What is the difference between "came as a reminder" and "served as a reminder"?

"Came as a reminder" implies a more passive occurrence, whereas "served as a reminder" suggests a more active role in prompting memory or awareness. The choice depends on whether you want to emphasize the action or the occurrence.