Cool MateCue vs Reminder
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Cue
Top 2,000 (common)B2noun
Reminder
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
| Cue | Reminder | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/kjuː/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kjuː/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmaɪndə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmaɪndər/"]/ |
| Meaning | A signal or reminder to do something. | Something to help you remember something. |
| Example | He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. | I set a reminder on my phone to call the doctor tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something, visual, wait for, follow, take, on cue, cue for, right on cue, take your cue from somebody/something | good, potent, powerful, act as, be, offer, letter, note, postcard, reminder about, reminder of, reminder to, good, potent, powerful, act as, be, offer, letter, note, postcard, reminder about, reminder of, reminder to |
| Antonyms | distraction, misdirection | forgetfulness, oblivion |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'cue' with 'queue' which means a line of people., Using 'cues' instead of 'cue' when referring to a single signal., Mispronouncing 'cue' as 'kyoo' instead of 'kwu' in some dialects. | Confusing 'reminder' with 'remind' (which is a verb), Using 'reminder' without properly indicating what it is reminding of, Incorrectly pluralizing it as 'reminders' in cases where singular is needed |
| Usage notes | Use 'cue' when referring to signals, especially in performances or sports. Avoid using it in overly casual conversations. | Use 'reminder' in everyday conversation. It's appropriate for informal settings and formal communication, such as in work emails. Avoid using it in overly casual contexts where simpler terms would suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Cue vs Reminder
What's the difference between Cue and Reminder?
Cue: A signal or reminder to do something. Reminder: Something to help you remember something.
Which is more advanced: Cue and Reminder?
Reminder is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Cue and Reminder the same CEFR level?
Cue: B2, Reminder: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Cue and Reminder?
Cue: noun, Reminder: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Cue: He gave me a subtle cue to start the presentation. Reminder: I set a reminder on my phone to call the doctor tomorrow.
Can I use Cue and Reminder interchangeably?
Not always. Cue and Reminder are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.