Is It Correct to Say “Friendly Reminder”?

You need to ask someone to do something, but you’ve already asked them before. You’re not annoyed that they haven’t done it yet and you don’t want them to feel like you are, so how are you going to phrase this reminder?

We’re here to help with a few handy phrases.

Is It Correct to Say “Friendly Reminder”?

“Friendly reminder” is grammatically correct and polite. People often use it in professional contexts. The addition of “friendly” is simply a way of introducing a softer tone to a reminder and conveying to the recipient that they’re not in trouble: “Friendly reminder to keep your workspaces tidy!”


KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • “Friendly reminder” is a grammatically correct phrase.
  • People use this phrase to remind someone else to do something in a polite way, often in a professional context.
  • People also use the phrases “kind reminder” and “gentle reminder” to achieve the same goal.

If you want your reminders to be heeded, you must phrase them effectively. Happily, the phrase “friendly reminder” is a great way to do this. After all, this phrase is polite and appropriate in professional settings. Therefore, you can use it in correspondence with clients or co-workers.

However, if you still don’t feel comfortable using this phrase, or if you would just like to have some alternatives to “friendly reminder” in your linguistic arsenal, then keep on reading.

We’ve selected our favorite synonyms so you can figure out what to say instead of “friendly reminder” to best suit the context you’re in!

Other Ways to Say “Friendly Reminder”

Other ways to say “friendly reminder” are “kind reminder”, “gentle reminder”, and “please be reminded”. These are the best synonyms, as they are all as polite as the original phrase, and people often use them in a professional or otherwise formal context.

1. Kind Reminder

Another way to say “friendly reminder” is “kind reminder”. 

People will use these two terms interchangeably, as the addition of either “kind” or “friendly” is just a way to make what you’re saying seem polite and not pushy

Here’s an example of how this phrase looks in an email:

Dear Josiah,

Just a kind reminder that your report on different kinds of tree bark is due at the end of this week.

How are you getting on with it? Let me know if you need any support. I know loads about tree bark!

Kind regards,
Paul

2. Gentle Reminder

If you’re wondering how to say“friendly reminder” in a different but equally as polite way, try using “gentle reminder”.

Again, the addition of “gentle” doesn’t necessarily add to the meaning of your sentence, it’s just there to assure the recipient of the reminder that they’re not in trouble and that you’re not trying to boss them around.

So, you might want to use the term “gentle reminder” when you’re forced to bother your boss about something they haven’t done, like in the example below:

Hi Ellen,

Hope your day is going well!

This is just a gentle reminder that you said you would review those excel spreadsheets with me this afternoon.

Are you still available to assist?

Thanks,
Carlos

3. Please Be Reminded

An additional way to say “friendly reminder” is “please be reminded”.

Firstly, this phrase has a firmer tone than the other alternatives. While it’s still polite, it doesn’t have the same kind of modifying words that “kind reminder”, “gentle reminder”, or “friendly reminder” do. 

Secondly, “kind”, “gentle”, and “friendly” all serve to make the reminder feel softer to the person receiving it and make it seem more like a request than a demand. “Please be reminded” feels a bit more assertive.

Here’s an example of how it looks in an email:

Dear all,

Please be reminded that we are not allowed to use the hand dryers or the lift while recording is taking place.

Please check whether the “silence” sign outside of the booth is switched on before you go to dry your hands/use the lift.

Cheers,
Ola

4. Just a Reminder

Finally, “just a reminder” is another alternative to “friendly reminder” without the inherent friendliness.

However, the use of “just” in this phrase suggests that the reminder is a courtesy. It lacks the urgency of some other alternatives.

Therefore, you can use this phrase to remind others in a more impersonal but relaxed manner.

Let’s look at an example that illustrates this:

Dear All,

This is just a reminder that the library will be closing on Wednesday.

Regards,
Student Advisory