sort of reminds

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sort of reminds" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a vague or partial similarity between two things or when you want to soften a statement about a resemblance. Example: "This painting sort of reminds me of the one I saw in the museum last year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Tech

Style

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

I love this concept, it sort of reminds me of the old Yowie collectibles.

The Guardian

Sort of reminds you of Allen's parody detective story "The Whore of Mensa," doesn't it?

The New York Times

"It sort of reminds me of the Orlando Airport," Val said.

The New York Times - Travel

It sort of reminds me of the season finale of the show "Louie" if you've seen it.

Princeton University

"It sort of reminds me of some Hollywood movie or a couple of thugs in a car driving around.

The New York Times

It sort of reminds one of the old vaudeville routine, "Niagara Falls/Slo-o-wly I turned".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"She sort of reminded me of me in that respect.

The New York Times

Ansari: It sort of reminded me of being born again.

MIT Technology Review

Yeah, they sort of reminded me of the hairdresser and the Italian.

The New York Times

(It sort of reminded me of a game my husband likes to play with our children.

The New York Times

It sort of reminded me of that situation with the Japanese boyfriend.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of reminds" when you want to express a subjective and somewhat uncertain connection between two things. It's ideal for casual conversation and less formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sort of reminds" in formal writing or professional reports. Opt for more precise and professional alternatives like "is reminiscent of" or "bears a resemblance to" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sort of reminds" functions as a subjective expression indicating a perceived similarity or association. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in drawing comparisons, often with a degree of uncertainty or approximation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Tech

20%

Style

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Formal & Business

4%

Science

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort of reminds" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a subjective feeling of resemblance, often with a hint of uncertainty. As Ludwig confirms, the phrase is best suited for informal or neutral contexts, such as news articles or casual conversations. While generally acceptable, it is advisable to use more formal alternatives like "is reminiscent of" in professional or academic writing. The phrase sees frequent use in media, tech and style contexts. Its semantic function is to draw comparisons and share personal impressions. Overall, "sort of reminds" provides a useful tool for expressing similarities, but writers should be mindful of the context and choose more precise language when necessary.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of evokes

Uses "kind of" to express a casual and approximate feeling of bringing something to mind.

somewhat evokes

This alternative suggests a less direct or weaker form of bringing something to mind.

vaguely suggests

Indicates an indefinite or imprecise resemblance.

is reminiscent of

A more sophisticated phrase implying a nostalgic or reflective connection.

slightly resembles

Highlights a minor degree of similarity in appearance or nature.

partially mirrors

Implies that only certain aspects are similar to something else.

bears a resemblance to

A more formal way of indicating that two things share similar characteristics.

has echoes of

Suggests a faint or indirect reminder of something.

hints at

This alternative points towards an indirect suggestion or subtle resemblance.

approximates

Indicates a similarity that is not exact but close in certain aspects.

FAQs

How can I use "sort of reminds" in a sentence?

You can use "sort of reminds" to express a vague or partial similarity. For example, "This song "sort of reminds" me of a tune from my childhood".

What phrases are similar to "sort of reminds"?

Alternatives include phrases like "somewhat evokes", "slightly resembles", or "is reminiscent of", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "sort of reminds" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "sort of reminds" is generally more suited for informal contexts. More formal alternatives like "bears a resemblance to" might be better in professional settings.

What's the difference between "sort of reminds" and "is exactly like"?

"Sort of reminds" implies a partial or inexact similarity, while "is exactly like" indicates a complete and precise match. The former suggests a weaker connection than the latter.