What is the difference between remember and remind?

Remember = to recall something from your own memory (internal). Remind = to make someone else remember (external action). 'I remembered to call' vs 'She reminded me to call.'

Can you say 'Please remember me to call'?

No. Say 'Please remind me to call.' You remind someone (external action), but you remember something yourself (internal action).

Remember vs Remind: What's the Difference?

Quick Answer

Remember = recall from YOUR memory (internal)

Remind = make SOMEONE ELSE remember (external)

Explanation

REMEMBER 🧠

Internal mental action

You recall something by yourself

remember + to do

remember + doing (past)

"I remember meeting her."

"Remember to lock the door."

REMIND 📢

External action on someone

You help someone else remember

remind + person + to do

remind + person + of/about

"Remind me to call Mom."

"This reminds me of home."

Key difference: "Remind" ALWAYS needs a person as object. "Remember" doesn't need a person - it happens in your own mind.

"Remind" structures:

• remind someone to do something
• remind someone about something
• remind someone of something (= make them think of it)
• something reminds someone of something

Examples

✔I remember my first day at school. (I recall it)

✔This song reminds me of my childhood. (makes me think of)

✔Please remind me to buy milk. (help me remember)

✔Remember to turn off the lights. (don't forget)

✔She reminded him about the meeting. (told him so he wouldn't forget)

✘Please remember me to buy milk.

✘This song remembers me of my childhood.

Special Expression

"Remember me to..."

This is an old-fashioned way to say "give my regards to..."

"Remember me to your mother." = "Give my regards to your mother."

(This usage is rare in modern English)

Common Mistakes

Incorrect: The photo remembers me of our vacation.

Correct: The photo reminds me of our vacation.

Incorrect: Can you remember me to call the doctor?

Correct: Can you remind me to call the doctor?

Practice

Fill in with "remember" or "remind":

"You _____ me of my best friend. You have the same smile."