politely remind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "politely remind" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to gently prompt someone about something they may have forgotten or need to be reminded of, while maintaining a courteous tone. Example: "I would like to politely remind you about the upcoming deadline for the project submission."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Teachers are simply encouraged to politely remind them to use a more polite greeting, which could be a "Guten Tag," for anyone who does not feel comfortable with the traditional Bavarian greeting.

The New York Times

Christian, Paul and Rebecca, glance at each other and politely remind me they have lectures to attend.

The Guardian

My own approach is to politely remind offenders that the small hole at the bottom of their phones is actually a microphone.

The Guardian

But Carl soon came around on that one, going so far as to politely remind Lomax, who derided Berry's music as "adolescent," that Earth is home to many adolescents.

The New Yorker

Steve Lupton Manchester May I politely remind the stony-faced Labour MPs who are aghast at the triumph of the "unelectable" Corbyn that had they been "electable" last May, they wouldn't have been looking for a new leader.

The Guardian

Ann stumped for Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode," a somewhat harder sell, in that Carl, at first listening, called it "awful". But Carl soon came around on that one, going so far as to politely remind Lomax, who derided Berry's music as "adolescent," that Earth is home to many adolescents.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

I politely reminded them about the no-talking rule halfway through the trip.

The New York Times

Rivera politely reminded his questioner that Hughes actually does have postseason experience.

The New York Times

I politely reminded her that without government, she could never have afforded college.

The New York Times

And then, claims Vickers, during the audience, "the Queen politely reminded him not to use the monarchy as a football".

The Guardian

"I pointed to everything on the table, cups, plates, even salt shakers, and politely reminded my friends that each of these objects was designed by a person".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the relationship you have with the person you're reminding; adjust your wording to suit the level of formality required.

Common error

Avoid excessive apologies when you "politely remind" someone. Overdoing it can undermine the importance of the reminder or make you appear unsure of yourself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "politely remind" functions as a hedge, softening the act of reminding to make it less confrontational. As supported by Ludwig, this construction is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

36%

Academia

4%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "politely remind" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to prompt someone in a respectful manner. Ludwig confirms its validity and widespread usage. It's particularly useful in maintaining cordial relationships, whether in professional or casual environments. Remember to consider your tone and avoid excessive apologies to ensure the message is well-received. Alternatives like "gently prompt" or "kindly suggest" can be considered for slight variations in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gently prompt

This option uses a different verb to soften the reminder, focusing on a gentle suggestion rather than a direct reminder.

kindly suggest

Emphasizes the kindness in making a suggestion, suitable for scenarios where you want to be extra tactful.

courteously bring up

Highlights the polite and respectful way of introducing a topic.

tactfully mention

Highlights the careful and considerate manner of bringing something up.

diplomatically indicate

Implies a sensitive and skillful way of pointing something out, often in professional settings.

softly nudge

Implies a very subtle and indirect reminder, often used when the issue is minor.

considerately advise

Emphasizes the caring aspect of giving a reminder, framing it as advice.

subtly cue

Suggests providing a hint or signal rather than an explicit reminder.

discreetly call attention to

Focuses on bringing something to someone's attention in a private and careful manner.

with all due respect, remind

Adds a formal tone, acknowledging the other person's position while still providing the reminder.

FAQs

How can I use "politely remind" in a sentence?

You can use "politely remind" to gently prompt someone about something. For example, "I wanted to "politely remind" you about the meeting tomorrow".

What are some alternatives to "politely remind"?

Alternatives include "gently prompt", "kindly suggest", or "tactfully mention", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it always necessary to be polite when reminding someone?

While politeness is generally recommended, the necessity depends on the context, your relationship with the person, and the nature of the reminder. In professional or formal settings, it's crucial, while in casual settings, it may be less critical but still appreciated.

What's the difference between "politely remind" and "remind"?

"Remind" is a direct action, while ""politely remind"" emphasizes the manner in which you are reminding someone, indicating a respectful and considerate approach.