friendly reminder

USAGE SUMMARY

"friendly reminder" is a perfectly valid and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to remind someone of something important, such as a due date, that needs to be done. For example, "Just a friendly reminder that your rent is due next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was a nice, friendly reminder," Delgado said.

The New York Times - Sports

It was, their Web site explains, "a friendly reminder to drink water".

The New York Times - Sports

Just a friendly reminder about Palestine, at the Yonkers Metro North Station.

The New York Times

As a friendly reminder, it is turtle season in Southwest Florida".

The New York Times

Mostly it's just a friendly reminder that, you know, the clock is ticking.

The Washington Post

As Ms. Brooks saw visitors out, she offered a friendly reminder.

The New York Times

Here's a friendly reminder never to challenge an engineer to a pumpkin carving contest.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Special Teams Note"This friendly reminder: on any kickoff or punt, don't blink: you might miss something big".

The New York Times

Dear Half Sister, I just wanted to shoot you a friendly reminder that Tuesday is Dad's birthday.

The New Yorker

Reminder: Animal Therapy Tomorrow from Noon to 1PM! Just a friendly reminder that it's time for pet therapy!

Cornell University

I wanted to send out a friendly reminder that the data submission deadline for the current data call is March 31 , 2016

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When following up on a previous communication, "friendly reminder" sets a cooperative tone. For example, "Just a "friendly reminder" about the meeting next week."

Common error

While generally acceptable, overuse of "friendly reminder" can sound passive-aggressive, especially in formal communication. Opt for more direct language if a task is overdue or requires immediate attention.

How to use

Learn how to use "friendly reminder" with practical examples and tips.

How to use

Linguistic Context

The phrase "friendly reminder" functions as a noun phrase, where "friendly" modifies the noun "reminder". It's used to introduce a message intended to jog someone's memory or prompt action in a polite manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is perfectly valid in English and is commonly used for gentle prompts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "friendly reminder" is a very common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to gently prompt or notify someone, as affirmed by Ludwig AI. It functions to jog memories while maintaining a positive tone. While adaptable to professional settings, it leans towards informal, finding frequent use in news, academic, and business contexts. For more formal scenarios, consider alternatives like "courteous notice". Remember, the goal is always clear and respectful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gentle prompt

Replaces "reminder" with a softer term, emphasizing the non-intrusive nature of the message.

courteous notice

More formal and polite, suitable for professional settings.

helpful nudge

Implies a subtle encouragement rather than a strict reminder.

quick heads-up

More casual and informal, suitable for quick communications.

kind suggestion

Softens the tone further, framing it as a helpful suggestion.

just a note

Simplifies the message, making it less direct and more approachable.

recall message

Focuses on the act of remembering, suitable when memory is key.

prompt for your attention

A formal way to ask someone to consider a matter.

informal heads-up

It's more informal than "friendly reminder".

warm nudge

Emphasizes the pleasant and encouraging nature of the reminder.

FAQs

How to use "friendly reminder" in a sentence?

You can use "friendly reminder" to gently prompt someone about a deadline, task, or event. For example, "Just a "friendly reminder" that the deadline for submissions is tomorrow." Or, "Here's a "friendly reminder" to back up your data regularly."

What can I say instead of "friendly reminder"?

You can use alternatives like "gentle prompt", "courteous notice", or "helpful nudge" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "friendly reminder" or "friendlier reminder"?

"Friendly reminder" is the standard and correct phrasing. "Friendlier reminder" is not a common or grammatically sound alternative.

What's the difference between "friendly reminder" and "formal notice"?

"Friendly reminder" is informal and gentle, used for casual prompts. "Formal notice" is serious and official, used to communicate important information with potential consequences.