grave reminder

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grave reminder" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the seriousness or importance of a reminder, often in contexts related to significant events or issues. Example: "The recent natural disasters serve as a grave reminder of the impact of climate change on our planet."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"These findings should provide the Government with a grave reminder of the importance of leadership when setting the tone of the debate around refugee and asylum policy," she said.

Independent

High-school kids headed out of town for a basketball game or debate tournament are routinely warned to be on their best behaviour by way of the grave reminder that each of them represents their whole school, their whole community.

The Economist

The region around Benin was once known as the Slave Coast for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and the children's story is a grave reminder that slave ships still sail from West Africa.

The New York Times

While in America he wrote Lettre à un otage (1943; Letter to a Hostage), a call to unity among Frenchmen, and Le Petit Prince (1943; The Little Prince), a child's fable for adults, with a gentle and grave reminder that the best things in life are still the simplest ones and that real wealth is giving to others.

Encyclopedia Britannica

It was hard not to think that Muslims were somehow the unwitting beneficiaries of all this, especially when I read the warning to all Americans on the opening panel: "The lessons learned must remain as a grave reminder of what we must not allow to happen again to any group".

The New York Times - Magazine

Benjamin's life is defined by the weighty historical resonance of crucial dates — his daughter is born in 1968, and he dies in the spring of 2003, at the start of the Iraq war — and the framing story, set in a New Orleans hospital during Hurricane Katrina, becomes a grave reminder that what seems solid is tragically impermanent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

The increasing use of cremation facilitates this disposition to reduce the social intrusion of death and banish the traditional grave as a reminder of human mortality.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The sheer number of these graves are a reminder of the scale of the human suffering witnessed here, but also of the extent to which so many in the UK and beyond are still connected to the place today.

BBC

The many graves are a constant reminder of the thousands who perished.The graveyard we visit feels like a strange mix of cemetery and children's playground.

The Economist

NICHOLAS THOMPSON: It starts with a reference to the Cuban Missile Crisis: A reminder of the grave consequences Presidents face.

The New Yorker

The photographs in your article are a stark reminder of the grave dangers our troops face day and night in that distant land.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "grave reminder", ensure the context warrants a serious and significant emphasis. This phrase is best suited for situations involving important lessons or potential consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "grave reminder" in situations that are not genuinely serious. Overusing the phrase can diminish its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic. Reserve it for events or issues of substantial importance.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grave reminder" functions as a noun phrase that serves as an appositive or a subject complement, emphasizing the significance of a lesson or memory. Ludwig confirms its proper usage in emphasizing serious issues.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

21%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Science

8%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grave reminder" is a grammatically correct and commonly used noun phrase that serves to emphasize the serious nature of a lesson or memory. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, as well as formal business communications, reflecting its suitability for conveying important and potentially consequential information. Alternatives include "stark reminder", "serious warning", and "sobering reminder", each offering slightly different nuances. While effective in conveying seriousness, it should be used judiciously to avoid diminishing its impact through overuse. Ensure that if you are using the expression "grave reminder", that the context truly warrants it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stark reminder

Emphasizes the harsh, clear, and unavoidable nature of the reminder.

pressing reminder

Highlights the urgency and importance of the reminder.

sobering reminder

Focuses on the thought-provoking and serious aspect of the reminder.

serious warning

Emphasizes the warning aspect, implying potential negative consequences if ignored.

grim warning

Conveys a sense of foreboding and bleakness associated with the reminder.

stark warning

Highlights the harsh and unavoidable nature of the warning.

harsh lesson

Shifts the focus to the instructive nature of the event, though potentially painful.

critical lesson

Underscores the importance of the lesson being taught.

urgent caution

Emphasizes the need for immediate attention and care.

severe caution

Highlights the strictness and potential consequences of ignoring the caution.

FAQs

How can I use "grave reminder" in a sentence?

You can use "grave reminder" to emphasize the seriousness of something that should not be forgotten. For example, "The increasing frequency of natural disasters serves as a "grave reminder" of the urgent need to address climate change."

What are some alternatives to "grave reminder"?

Alternatives include "serious warning", "stark reminder", or "sobering reminder", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "grave reminder" the same as "serious reminder"?

While similar, "grave reminder" carries a heavier connotation than "serious reminder". "Grave" implies a higher level of significance and potential consequences.

When is it appropriate to use "grave reminder"?

Use "grave reminder" when referring to events or situations that have significant and potentially far-reaching consequences, such as major accidents, humanitarian crises, or critical policy failures.