only to remind

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of a sentence "only to remind" is correct and can be used in written English as a way to emphasize that something is being mentioned as a reminder or to jog someone's memory.
It can be used in various contexts, such as: - "I wrote this note only to remind myself to buy milk when I go to the grocery store later." - "She called me only to remind me that our meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow." - "I'm mentioning this only to remind you that the deadline for the project is approaching." - "The purpose of this email is only to remind everyone of the dress code for the company party."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I have only to remind you of Blaskowitz' memorandum, which was one of the first.

Yale University

But the chirping of birds seemed only to remind guests of tweeting of a different sort.

The New York Times

worth a look if only to remind yourself that even great theories like Darwin's have limitations". Emma Bayley, Focus.

Cornell University

The recent one-year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street served only to remind us how little has really changed.

The New York Times

Still, France tried to score, if only to remind people what it could do a few weeks or months ago.

The New York Times - Sports

High time it was revived, if only to remind us that cricket and drama are indissolubly linked.

The Guardian

He put his celebrity to work on Tuesday night at S.O.B.'s, but only to remind the crowd where he came from.

The New York Times - Arts

Hezbollah's attacks on Israeli soldiers serve only to remind us how critical it is that peace be achieved in the region.

The New York Times

Foster goes paragliding, follows their path to Africa, eats similar foods; but it serves only to remind him how lumpen he is.

The Guardian

If this description serves only to remind you what a mess your own house is, you are probably not "home manager" material.

The New York Times

But now, seeing those pictures, I feel sad and want to turn away; those four faces seem only to remind me of what we have lost.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only to remind" to clearly signal the purpose of an action or statement is to prompt memory or awareness, ensuring clarity in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "only to remind" in sentences where the act of reminding is already obvious. Overusing it can make your writing sound redundant or condescending.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only to remind" functions as an adverbial phrase of purpose. It modifies a verb, clarifying the intent behind an action. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where it specifies the reason for someone's action.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Academia

17%

Science

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "only to remind" is a versatile tool for emphasizing the specific purpose of prompting memory or awareness. Ludwig's AI analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news, academia, and scientific writing. When using "only to remind", ensure that the context clearly benefits from the emphasis on reminding; overuse can lead to redundancy. Consider related phrases like "just to remind" or "simply to remind" for nuanced variations. Overall, "only to remind" is a valuable addition to any writer's toolkit, helping to ensure clarity and prevent oversight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just to remind

Slightly less formal and direct than "only to remind".

simply to remind

Emphasizes the simplicity of the act of reminding.

merely to remind

Similar to "simply to remind", highlighting the limited purpose.

solely to remind

Stresses that reminding is the only purpose.

if only to remind

Introduces a condition or reason for reminding.

purely to remind

Highlights the purity of intention in the act of reminding.

specifically to remind

Indicates a particular and intentional focus on reminding.

in order to remind

Formal and emphasizes purpose or intent.

with the intention of reminding

Very formal and emphasizes the explicit intention.

for the purpose of reminding

Most formal of all alternatives, used in official documents.

FAQs

How can I use "only to remind" in a sentence?

Use "only to remind" to emphasize that the sole intention of your statement is to prompt a memory or awareness. For example, "I'm calling "only to remind" you about the upcoming deadline".

What phrases are similar to "only to remind"?

Alternatives include "just to remind", "simply to remind", or "merely to remind". The best choice depends on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "only to remind"?

While it's more common to find "only to remind" in the middle of a sentence or clause, it can be used at the beginning for emphasis. For example: "Only to remind you, the meeting starts in 10 minutes."

What is the difference between "only to remind" and "in order to remind"?

"Only to remind" emphasizes the single purpose of reminding, while "in order to remind" indicates a deliberate intention or plan to remind someone. The former is more direct, the latter is more formal.