One is recalling something yourself, the other is making someone else recall it.
Verb. To bring something back to your own mind. The memory comes from within you.
I remember my first day at school clearly.
Recuerdo mi primer día de escuela claramente.
Do you remember where you put your keys?
¿Recuerdas dónde pusiste tus llaves?
She did not remember to call him.
Ella no se acordó de llamarlo.
Verb. To cause someone else to remember something. The trigger comes from outside.
Can you remind me to call the doctor?
¿Puedes recordarme que llame al médico?
She reminded her son to take his umbrella.
Ella le recordó a su hijo que llevara su paraguas.
Please remind me about the meeting tomorrow.
Por favor recuérdame la reunión de mañana.
Common mistake
Saying 'remember me to' when you want someone to help you not forget. Wrong: "Remember me to buy milk." (correct: Remind me to buy milk.)
Trick to remember it
'Remember' = the memory comes from INSIDE you. 'Remind' = someone or something gives you a nudge FROM OUTSIDE. If you need external help to not forget, use 'remind'.
Quick rule
Does the memory come from your own mind? Use 'remember'. Do you need external help to not forget? Use 'remind'.
Did you know?
'This reminds me of...' is very common when something triggers a memory: 'This song reminds me of my childhood.' But 'I remember my childhood' comes from inside you, without an external trigger.
Exercise 1 · Pick the right one
Can you ____ me to call the dentist tomorrow?
Exercise 2 · Pick the right one
I don't ____ where I put my passport.
Exercise 3 · Form the word
Does the memory come from your own mind? Use 'remember'. Do you need external help to not forget? Use 'remind'.
Saying 'remember me to' when you want someone to help you not forget. Wrong: "Remember me to buy milk." (correct: Remind me to buy milk.)
'Remember' = the memory comes from INSIDE you. 'Remind' = someone or something gives you a nudge FROM OUTSIDE. If you need external help to not forget, use 'remind'.
Bryan López
Founder of SpeakUP Academy