Remind vs Try and remember for me

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Remind

Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb

Try and remember for me

InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: RemindMost common: Remind
 RemindTry and remember for me
Pronunciation🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmaɪnd/","/rɪˈmaɪndz/","/rɪˈmaɪndɪd/","/rɪˈmaɪndɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmaɪnd/","/rɪˈmaɪndz/","/rɪˈmaɪndɪd/","/rɪˈmaɪndɪŋ/"]/🇬🇧 //traɪ ənd rɪˈmɛmbər fɔː mi//🇺🇸 //traɪ ənd rɪˈmɛmbər fɔr mi//
Meaningto help someone remember somethingPlease help me to remember something.
ExamplePlease remind me to call my mom later.If you see her, please try and remember for me to ask about the meeting.
RegisterNeutralInformal
How commonTop 1,000 (very common)Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR levelB1-
Part of speechverb
Collocationsforcefully, forcibly, strongly, not have to, not need to, serve to, about, of, keep reminding somebodytry and remember, remember for me, please try and remember, try and recall, try and help
Antonymsforget, neglect-
Common mistakesConfused with 'remember' - 'remind' requires an object., Incorrect preposition - remember to use 'of' after 'remind'.Often used with incorrect verb forms, e.g., 'try to remember for me.', Confused with 'remember for me.', Overuse in asking for help instead of just making a request.
Usage notesUse 'remind' when you want to make someone aware of something they may have forgotten. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, but avoid using it in very casual or playful situations.Used in casual conversations; not typically used in formal writing. 'Try to remember' is more common in formal contexts.

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Remind
Try and remember for me

Frequently asked questions: Remind vs Try and remember for me

What's the difference between Remind and Try and remember for me?

Remind: to help someone remember something Try and remember for me: Please help me to remember something.

Which is more formal: Remind and Try and remember for me?

Remind is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Remind and Try and remember for me?

Remind is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Remind: Please remind me to call my mom later. Try and remember for me: If you see her, please try and remember for me to ask about the meeting.

Can I use Remind and Try and remember for me interchangeably?

Not always. Remind and Try and remember for me 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.

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