I was warned about this

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was warned about this" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a prior caution or alert you received regarding a situation or event. Example: "When the issue arose, I remembered that I was warned about this during our last meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I was warned about this before I went.

The New York Times - Style

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

"Homeland" co-creator Alex Gansa agreed, "I cannot tell you how many times I was warned about his checkered past in television, but this role was written for him.

Huffington Post

"I was warned about it because it's so dry there," she said.

Huffington Post

"When I first got the job I was warned about him," she told VICE.

Vice

In Los Angeles, I was warned about displaying my Bulls pride because of the red color.

Huffington Post

Also, everyone was warned about this post, so I have plausible deniability.

TechCrunch

One of the things I'd been warned about was never to deviate from the marked route.

Independent

"I'm in my mid-twenties, when a lot of shit changes," says Shapiro, "and I'd been warned about this phase for as long as I can remember.

The Guardian - Music

And - wait - I'd been warned about this bit on Twitter.

The Guardian - Film

Fortunately, though, I'd been warned about this development, along with many others, by Debbie Stier, the author of "The Perfect Score Project: Uncovering the Secrets of the SAT" (Harmony).

The New Yorker

The church complained that it had not been warned about this measure.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was warned about this" to clearly indicate that you received prior notification or caution regarding a specific situation. This can help establish context and demonstrate preparedness or understanding of potential issues.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I was warned about this" is in the passive voice. Consider using the active voice for a more direct and impactful statement. For example, "Someone warned me about this."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was warned about this" functions as a declarative statement indicating that the speaker received prior caution or notification regarding a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Science

24%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I was warned about this" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to indicate prior caution or notification about a situation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it serves to contextualize awareness and preparedness. While versatile, writers should consider using the active voice or more formal synonyms depending on the desired impact and register. Related phrases, such as "I had been cautioned about this", can offer nuanced alternatives. The frequency of this expression qualifies as common, and authoritative sources like The New York Times frequently employ it.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I received a warning about this

Replaces "was warned" with "received a warning", maintaining the passive voice and similar meaning.

I had been cautioned about this

Substitutes "warned" with "cautioned", emphasizing a sense of prudence and advice.

I was alerted to this beforehand

Uses "alerted" instead of "warned" and adds "beforehand" to emphasize the timing of the warning.

I was forewarned about this

Employs "forewarned", a more formal synonym for "warned", highlighting anticipation.

This was brought to my attention

Shifts the focus to the information being presented, rather than the warning itself.

I knew this was coming

Indicates prior knowledge without explicitly mentioning a warning, implying anticipation.

I anticipated this

Focuses on the anticipation of an event, without specifically referring to a warning.

I expected this outcome

Emphasizes the expectation of a result, moving away from the warning aspect.

I saw this coming

Indicates awareness of an impending event, often implying a negative consequence.

I was anticipating that outcome

Focuses on expecting the outcome without specifically acknowledging the warning.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "I was warned about this" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "I had been cautioned about this" or "I was forewarned about this". These alternatives emphasize the prior notice in a professional context.

What does "I was warned about this" imply?

The phrase "I was warned about this" typically implies that you received some form of prior notification or caution about a potential issue or situation. It suggests you were aware of possible negative consequences or challenges before they occurred.

Is there a difference between "I was warned about this" and "I knew about this"?

Yes, while both suggest prior knowledge, "I was warned about this" implies that someone specifically cautioned you, whereas "I knew about this" simply indicates you had awareness through any means, not necessarily through a warning.

When is it appropriate to use "I was warned about this" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "I was warned about this" when you want to emphasize that you received a specific warning regarding something. This can be useful in reports, narratives, or discussions where you want to highlight the fact that you had prior knowledge of potential issues.