to keep in mind

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'to keep in mind' is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to remind someone to remember something, or when you want to emphasize the importance of something. For example: “When you’re preparing for your exam, it’s important to keep in mind that you’ll need to study hard in order to do well.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Keeping clean is a major thing to keep in mind.

WikiHow

One thing to keep in mind.

The New York Times - Travel

It's something investors would be wise to keep in mind.

The New York Times

Here are some points to keep in mind.

The New York Times

This Kromer ought to keep in mind, yet didn't.

The New Yorker

One thing to keep in mind: terminology matters.

The New York Times

And here is the other thing to keep in mind.

The New York Times

"You have to keep in mind the Sinhalese national psyche.

The New Yorker

That's what we need to keep in mind.

The Economist

Here are two important dates to keep in mind.

The New York Times

MEGHAN O'ROURKE: That's a good point to keep in mind.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to keep in mind" to introduce caveats, limitations, or potential issues related to a topic.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "to keep in mind" as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms like "remember" or "consider".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to keep in mind" functions as an idiomatic expression that introduces a key consideration, reminder, or piece of advice. Ludwig examples show its versatility in guiding readers to remember crucial details or perspectives across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to keep in mind" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that highlights important considerations. According to Ludwig, it functions primarily to emphasize a point across various contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both informal and professional communication. While exceptionally versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse by varying sentence structure with synonyms. The phrase is common across news, media, and wikis, making it essential to know its alternatives. Remember to use "to bear in mind" for a more formal tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to bear in mind

A more formal alternative, emphasizing remembering something important.

to remember

A simpler and more direct alternative.

to take into account

Focuses on considering something as a factor.

to consider

A general alternative for thinking about something.

to not forget

Emphasizes preventing something from being forgotten.

to be mindful of

Highlights awareness and attention to something.

to give thought to

Implies careful consideration of something.

to pay attention to

Emphasizes focusing on something important.

to factor in

Highlights including something as an important variable or element in the decision.

to retain in memory

Formal phrasing which emphasizes the act of preserving information.

FAQs

How can I use "to keep in mind" in a sentence?

You can use "to keep in mind" to introduce an important consideration or reminder. For example, "When planning your budget, "to keep in mind" unexpected expenses."

What's a more formal way to say "to keep in mind"?

A more formal alternative to "to keep in mind" is "to bear in mind". This phrase is often used in professional or academic contexts.

Is it better to say "keep in mind" or "to keep in mind"?

Both "keep in mind" and "to keep in mind" are grammatically correct, but "to keep in mind" is often used when it's part of an infinitive phrase. The choice depends on the specific sentence structure.

What can I say instead of "to keep in mind" when giving instructions?

When giving instructions, you could use phrases like "remember that", "don't forget", or "it's important to" as alternatives to "to keep in mind".