Remember vs. Remind

Attribute	Remember	Remind
Definition	Recall information from memory	Prompt someone to remember something
Subject	Self	Others
Action	Retaining information	Notifying or prompting
Responsibility	Personal	Shared
Usage	Individual	Interpersonal
Method	Mental process	Communication
Examples	Remembering a phone number	Reminding someone of an appointment

Introduction

Remember and remind are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings and attributes. While both words relate to memory and recalling information, they differ in terms of their usage, grammatical roles, and the actions they imply. In this article, we will explore the attributes of remember and remind, highlighting their differences and providing examples to clarify their usage.

Remember

Remember is a verb that refers to the act of recalling or retaining information in one's mind. It is an individual action that relies on personal memory. When someone remembers something, they are able to bring to mind a specific piece of information or an event from the past. Remember is often used in the context of personal experiences, facts, or details that have been stored in one's memory.

For example, if you remember a childhood vacation, you are able to mentally retrieve the memories associated with that trip. Remembering can also involve recalling facts for an exam or remembering someone's name when you meet them again. It is an internal process that relies on an individual's ability to access stored information in their memory.

Remember is typically used in sentences like:

• "I remember the day we first met."
• "Do you remember where you put your keys?"
• "She remembered to buy groceries on her way home."

Remind

Remind, on the other hand, is also a verb but it involves an external action that prompts someone to remember something. Unlike remember, which is an individual action, remind requires the involvement of another person or an external stimulus to trigger the memory recall. When you remind someone of something, you are helping them remember or recall a specific piece of information or an event.

For instance, if you remind your friend about a meeting, you are bringing their attention to the fact that they need to remember and attend the meeting. Remind is often used in situations where one person needs to prompt or jog another person's memory.

Examples of sentences using remind include:

• "Can you remind me to call my mom later?"
• "He reminded his colleague about the upcoming deadline."
• "The alarm clock reminded her to take her medication."

Grammatical Roles

Another important distinction between remember and remind lies in their grammatical roles. Remember is a transitive verb, which means it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object is the thing or information being remembered. For example:

• "I rememberthe song we used to sing together."
• "She rememberedher childhood fondly."
• "They rememberedto lock the door before leaving."

On the other hand, remind is a transitive verb that requires both a subject and an indirect object. The subject is the person or thing doing the reminding, while the indirect object is the person being reminded. Here are some examples:

• "Can you remindmeabout the meeting tomorrow?"
• "He remindedhis sisterto pick up the groceries."
• "The alarm clock remindedherto take her medication."

Actions and Intentions

Remember and remind also differ in terms of the actions and intentions they imply. Remember is an action that occurs within an individual's mind. It involves the retrieval of stored information or memories without any external influence. Remembering can be a conscious effort or an automatic process triggered by a stimulus.

On the other hand, remind involves an external action that prompts someone to remember. It requires an intentional effort from the person doing the reminding to bring the memory to the forefront of the other person's mind. Reminding can be done through verbal cues, written notes, alarms, or any other means that help trigger the memory recall.

While remember is often associated with personal recollection, remind is associated with aiding someone else's memory or ensuring that a task or event is not forgotten. The intention behind reminding is to prompt or assist someone in remembering something specific.

Conclusion

In conclusion, remember and remind may seem similar at first glance, but they have distinct attributes that set them apart. Remember is an individual action that involves recalling information from personal memory, while remind is an external action that prompts someone to remember something. Remember is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, while remind is a transitive verb that requires both a subject and an indirect object. Remembering is an internal process, while reminding involves intentional actions to aid memory recall. Understanding the differences between remember and remind can help us use these words accurately and effectively in our communication.