you may remember

USAGE SUMMARY

"you may remember" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase to suggest that something is already known to the listener. For example: "You may remember that last week I mentioned I was looking for a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You may remember me.

Independent

You may remember it.

The Guardian

You may remember Rick.

The Washington Post

You may remember that thriller.

The Guardian - Sport

You may remember Archbishop Burke.

The New York Times

You may remember Tila Tequila.

The Guardian - Tech

You may remember my father.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

You may remember L'Affaire Bettencourt.

The Guardian - Opinion

You may remember what happens next.

The New York Times

You may remember the WeWantWork campaign.

The New York Times

You may remember "The Old Musical Marriage".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Enhance clarity by immediately following "you may remember" with a specific detail or context to jog the reader's memory. For example: "You may remember our discussion last week about the budget cuts."

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "you may remember" as it can become repetitive and weaken your writing. Vary your sentence structure by using alternatives like "as you know" or "recall that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you may remember" serves as an introductory clause. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct. It sets the stage for reminding the audience of a prior fact, event, or discussion, and it aims to connect with the reader by presuming shared knowledge.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Academia

19%

Science

5%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you may remember" is a versatile phrase used to jog the reader's memory and build connections through shared knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and wide applicability. It functions as an introductory clause, gently reminding the audience of previously discussed facts or events. While the phrase is appropriate for various contexts, it is most frequently encountered in news and media, academia, and science, where its neutral tone and ability to reference prior information are particularly useful. To use it effectively, avoid overuse and ensure clear context to support the reader's recall. By mastering the use of "you may remember", writers can create smoother transitions and strengthen their arguments by leveraging shared understanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you might recall

Replaces "may" with "might", suggesting a slightly lower probability of the person remembering.

perhaps you recall

Adds "perhaps" for a touch more uncertainty or politeness.

as you might remember

Similar meaning but slightly more formal and emphasizes the possibility of remembering.

if you recall

Presents the reminder as conditional, dependent on the person's memory.

you might know

Shifts the focus to existing knowledge rather than recalling a specific event.

as you are aware

Emphasizes prior awareness rather than the act of remembering.

it may be recalled that

A more formal and passive way of introducing something to be remembered.

do you happen to remember

Poses a direct question about remembering, implying some uncertainty.

you might be familiar with

Suggests general familiarity rather than specific recall.

bear in mind

A more direct instruction to consider or remember something, often used to introduce a key point.

FAQs

How can I use "you may remember" in a sentence?

The phrase "you may remember" is used to gently remind someone of something previously known. For example: "You may remember that we discussed this issue last week."

What are some alternatives to "you may remember"?

Alternatives include phrases like "you might recall", "as you might remember", or "if you recall", which offer similar ways to jog someone's memory.

Is it correct to use "you may remember" in formal writing?

Yes, "you may remember" is suitable for both formal and informal writing. The formality depends more on the context and surrounding language than the phrase itself.

What's the difference between "you may remember" and "as you know"?

"You may remember" implies a specific event or detail that might have been forgotten, while "as you know" suggests something that is generally known or understood by the audience.