merely reminding

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely reminding" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that you are simply bringing something to someone's attention without any additional implications. Example: "I am merely reminding you of the deadline for the project submission next week."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

I'm merely reminding my Conservative colleagues that our programme for government, the coalition agreement, states that "we will establish a committee to bring forward proposals for a wholly or mainly elected upper chamber on the basis of proportional representation".

The Guardian

It is merely reminding ourselves that the 83 percent of 11th-grade students at Urban Prep who didn't pass the state exam, and the 85 percent of 9th-grade students at Bruce Randolph who didn't pass the state writing test, deserve better.

The New York Times - Magazine

All of which may mean that Mr Chubais is not, in fact, distancing himself from the Kremlin, but merely reminding it that he is a force to be reckoned with; and also reminding business people that for talking to the powers-that-be, he is their man.

The Economist

Gordon Brown, the chancellor, avoided such emotive comparisons, merely reminding the TUC when he spoke on September 12th that the taxes raised by fuel duty helped to pay for the large sums of money he is pumping into education and health services.By Wednesday September 13th, John Monks, the TUC general secretary, abandoned all niceties.

The Economist

The fate of NBC Universal has fast become the industry's favorite parlor game, and without any deal with NBC's majority stakeholder General Electric in place, Vivendi's chief was merely reminding its present and potential partners that it is still there and has options.

Forbes

The Zika virus is merely reminding us of the multiple devastating things that can happen when women are stripped of their basic right to control their bodies and reproductive choices.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

That some cauldrons signed by Marvazi surfaced in Daghestan merely reminds us that objects travel.

The New York Times - Arts

In the end the play merely reminds us of the obvious: we're all destined to die.

The New York Times

The Football Association has decided not to bring a charge and it has merely reminded Pearson of his responsibilities.

The Guardian - Sport

We need to capture the imagination of voters, not merely remind them of how poor the other parties are.

The Guardian

Campaign volunteers who knocked on doors last week in swing states like Pennsylvania, Ohio and Nevada did not merely remind people to vote and arrange for rides to the polls.

The New York Times - Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely reminding" when you want to politely bring something to someone's attention without sounding accusatory or condescending. It softens the reminder.

Common error

Avoid using "merely reminding" excessively in highly formal or critical communications. In such situations, a more direct and assertive tone may be necessary to ensure the message is taken seriously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely reminding" functions as a hedging device within a sentence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to soften the act of reminding, reducing any potential implication of nagging or being overbearing. It adds a layer of politeness to the reminder.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely reminding" is a grammatically sound phrase used to soften the act of bringing something to someone's attention. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a hedge, adding politeness and reducing potential negative implications. Its neutral register makes it suitable for diverse contexts, particularly in news and media, as well as scientific writing, where a gentle nudge is preferred over a forceful demand. Related phrases like "just reminding" or "simply reminding" offer similar nuances. While it's a useful phrase, avoid overuse in highly formal settings where directness is paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just reminding

Replaces "merely" with "just", offering a more casual tone while retaining the core meaning.

simply reminding

Substitutes "merely" with "simply", providing a slightly more formal alternative with the same essential meaning.

only reminding

Replaces "merely" with "only", emphasizing the singleness of the action.

gently reminding

Adds "gently" to explicitly convey a soft and considerate tone in the reminder.

casually reminding

Introduces "casually" to indicate a relaxed and informal manner of reminding.

lightly reminding

Uses "lightly" to suggest a subtle and non-intrusive reminder.

briefly reminding

Highlights the brevity of the reminder, focusing on conciseness.

mentioning as a reminder

Rephrases to focus on the act of mentioning something with the intent to remind.

taking the liberty of reminding

Adds a polite and slightly formal tone, acknowledging the act of reminding.

offering a quick reminder

Changes the structure to emphasize the offering of a reminder in a concise manner.

FAQs

How can I use "merely reminding" in a sentence?

You can use "merely reminding" to soften a reminder, as in, "I'm "merely reminding" you about the upcoming deadline."

What phrases are similar to "merely reminding"?

Alternatives include "just reminding", "simply reminding", or "only reminding", which all convey a gentle reminder.

Is it appropriate to use "merely reminding" in formal writing?

While "merely reminding" is grammatically correct, consider the context. In very formal settings, more direct language might be preferred, but it can be appropriate for softening a message.

What's the difference between "merely reminding" and "reminding"?

Adding "merely" emphasizes that you are only reminding someone, and not adding new information or making a demand. It's a gentler approach compared to simply "reminding".