Grammar · Commonly Confused Words

Remember vs Remind

Remember comes from your own head. Remind needs someone or something to bring a memory back. Learn the difference with the film Saving Mr. Banks.

B1Commonly Confused Words

Grammar › Commonly Confused Words › Remember vs Remind

The rule in one sentenceUse remember when a memory comes from your own head — use remind when a person or thing brings the memory back to someone.

About the film

Saving Mr. Banks is a film from 2013 about P. L. Travers, the writer of Mary Poppins. In 1961 she flies from London to Los Angeles, because Walt Disney wants to turn her book into a film. On the trip she often remembers her childhood in Australia, and small things remind her of her father.

What does it do?

These two words are both about memory, but they work in different ways. When you remember something, the memory comes from inside your own head. When something reminds you, it brings a memory back from outside.

So remember needs only one person. Remind needs two: the person or thing that reminds, and the person who remembers.

Mrs Travers remembers her childhood in Australia.

Mary Poppins reminds many people of their childhood.

Walt Disney remembers a promise to his daughters.

Please remind me to buy the book.

Look at the first two tiles. In the first one, Mrs Travers finds the memory herself. In the second one, the story brings the memory back to other people. That is why remind has a person after it: reminds many people.

remember — from your own head

remind — someone brings it back

I remember the song.

The song reminds me of my mum.

I remember to call.

She reminds me to call.

I remember that it rained.

Tom reminds me that it rained.

I remember meeting him.

He reminds me of my dad.

I remember Mary Poppins from when I was a child. Saving Mr. Banks reminds me of that time.
In the first sentence, the memory is simply in my head. In the second, the film brings it back to me.

Visual guide

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How to make it

remember — one person, their own memory

remember+something / to + verb

remember+verb + -ing

Mrs Travers remembers the house where she grew up.

−

I don’t remember the name of that film.

Use don’t or doesn’t, as with most verbs.

Do you remember the first time you read Mary Poppins?

Ask with do or does.

remind — two people, a memory passed across

remind+person+of + thing

remind+person+to + verb

Please remind me to watch Saving Mr. Banks tonight.

−

Sunny Los Angeles doesn’t remind her of grey London.

Remind always needs a person after it.

Does this song remind you of anything?

The person comes straight after remind.

When to use each one

remember — the memory is yours

A memory from the past: Mrs Travers remembers her father in Australia.
A job you must not forget: Remember to bring your pen to the meeting.
Something you did before: I remember singing these songs as a child.
Asking about memories: Do you remember the flying umbrella?

remind — the memory comes back

Helping someone not forget: Can you remind me to book the tickets?
Two things look alike: You remind me of my grandmother.
A feeling comes back: Warm sunny days remind me of summer holidays.
Phones and notes: My phone reminds me about every meeting.

Words that help: your head or someone else?

Some words in the sentence tell you which one to use.

remember → the memory comes from you

I can’t rememberremember toremember + -ingdo you rememberI’ll always rememberif I remember

remind → someone brings it back

remind me toremind you ofthat reminds mea reminderremind me aboutreminds me that

Common mistakes

❌ Please remember me to buy the tickets.

✅ Please remind me to buy the tickets.

Another person helps you not forget, so use remind.

❌ Mrs Travers reminds her childhood in Australia.

✅ Mrs Travers remembers her childhood in Australia.

The memory is in her own head, so use remember.

❌ This film reminds me to my childhood.

✅ This film reminds me of my childhood.

We say remind someone of something. Use of, not to.

❌ I remember to read Mary Poppins as a child.

✅ I remember reading Mary Poppins as a child.

For a memory of the past, use remember + -ing.

One more thing

This part is a little harder. You can come back to it later.

Remember to do or remember doing? The meaning changes. Remember to do is a job for later. Remember doing is a memory of something you already did.
✅ I must remember to buy the book. (a job for later)
✅ I remember buying the book in London. (a memory)

Practice: choose the right word

Eight questions. Choose one answer. You get the answer, and why.

1. Mrs Travers often ___ her father’s stories.

The memory comes from her own head → remembers.

2. Can you ___ me to call the office?

Another person helps me not forget → remind.

3. Warm weather ___ her of Australia.

Something brings a memory back → reminds … of.

4. Do you ___ the first time you saw Mary Poppins?

It is your own memory → remember.

5. This song reminds me ___ my grandmother.

We say remind someone of something.

6. I must remember ___ the tickets tomorrow.

A job for later → remember to + verb.

7. I remember ___ Mary Poppins as a child.

A memory of the past → remember + -ing.

8. Walt Disney ___ a promise to his daughters.

He keeps the promise in his own head → remembers.

Your turn

Choose one ending. Then listen to your sentence.

I remember …

This song reminds me of …

Every sentence here is correct. Pick the one that is true for you. Say it out loud too!

Keep going

Next lessonReported Speech →

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Remember vs Remind — English Grammar (B1)