Cool MateDon't you know vs Don't you remember
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Don't you know
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Don't you remember
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Don't you remember
| Don't you know | Don't you remember | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt jʊ nəʊ//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ju noʊ// | 🇬🇧 //dəʊnt juː rɪˈmɛmbə//🇺🇸 //doʊnt ju rɪˈmɛmɚ// |
| Meaning | A phrase asking if someone is aware of something. | Are you not able to recall? |
| Example | Don't you know it's raining outside? | Don't you remember our trip to Paris last summer? |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | Don't you know?, Don't you know that?, Don't you know what?, Do you know? | don't you remember when, don't you remember what, don't you remember that |
| Antonyms | - | do remember, recall |
| Common mistakes | Using it in formal contexts., Omitting 'you' and saying just 'Don't know?', Confusing with 'Do you know?' | Confused with 'do you remember', Using in overly formal situations, Neglecting to use the correct subject |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversation to express surprise that someone does not know something. Avoid in formal writing. | Used to remind someone of something they should know. Common in conversations, but avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Don't you know vs Don't you remember
What's the difference between Don't you know and Don't you remember?
Don't you know: A phrase asking if someone is aware of something. Don't you remember: Are you not able to recall?
Which is more formal: Don't you know and Don't you remember?
Don't you remember is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Don't you know: Don't you know it's raining outside? Don't you remember: Don't you remember our trip to Paris last summer?
Can I use Don't you know and Don't you remember interchangeably?
Not always. Don't you know and Don't you remember are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.