Let me warn you

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Let me warn you" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to give someone a caution or alert them about a potential issue or danger. Example: "Let me warn you, the weather conditions can change rapidly in this area, so be prepared."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Let me warn you: if you drop your eyes like that, she'll cut away from you.

The Guardian

Let me warn you now, I have trouble regarding synchronized swimming as a sport.

The New York Times

Let me warn you of the dangerous ground you are wobbling towards.

The Guardian - Opinion

Let me warn you before you fire up the video below: there is a lot of flesh on display here.

The Guardian - Music

Let me warn you – Uber really is the best experience out there – you might never take a taxi again.

TechCrunch

Let me warn you though, if you do buy this monster, its shipping weight is 120 lbs on a pallet and your wife won't like it if it sits in the living room all evening.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Let me warn this government, once again, push us outside of the law and you will be responsible for the consequences, not us," he said.

The Guardian

Mr Salmond said: "Let me warn the Labour Party, if they go in with the Tories they'll suck you in and they'll spit you out as they've done to the Liberal Democrats".

Independent

"Let me warn everyone here," he said.

The New York Times

Let me warn young men everywhere: Stay in school.

The New Yorker

Let me warn your readers not to take Bloom's advice.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context to adjust the tone; sometimes a softer approach like "Please note" may be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with "Let me warn you" as it can sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and integrate warnings more naturally.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Let me warn you" functions as an introductory expression that prefaces a caution or advice. According to Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically correct way to signal that the speaker is about to deliver important information that might prevent a negative outcome.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "Let me warn you" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a caution or advice. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and serves to alert the listener or reader about a potential issue. While relatively uncommon, it appears frequently in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure that the warning is clear and actionable, and consider the tone to ensure it is appropriate for your audience. Alternatives such as "I must caution you" or "Be forewarned" may be considered to adjust the level of formality or directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I must caution you

More formal and emphasizes the speaker's responsibility.

Be forewarned

More concise and slightly more formal.

A word of caution

Introduces a warning, often before providing specific details.

Bear in mind

Highlights something to remember or consider, often carrying a warning.

Keep in mind that

Reminds someone to remember something relevant, often a warning.

Take heed

Emphasizes careful attention to a warning.

You should know

Implies important information needs to be considered, possibly cautionary.

Please note

Less forceful, but still alerts the listener to something important.

Consider this carefully

Encourages thoughtful consideration of potential consequences.

It is important to realize

Highlights awareness of a crucial, potentially negative, factor.

FAQs

What does "Let me warn you" mean?

It means the speaker is about to caution or alert the listener about a potential danger, problem, or undesirable outcome.

How can I use "Let me warn you" in a sentence?

You can use it to introduce a piece of advice or caution, for example: "Let me warn you, the road ahead is very bumpy." Alternatives are "I must caution you" or "A word of caution".

What are some alternatives to "Let me warn you"?

Alternatives include "be forewarned", "bear in mind", or "take heed", depending on the level of formality and emphasis you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to use "Let me warn you"?

While grammatically correct, "Let me warn you" may sound overly assertive in some situations. Consider your audience and the context to determine if a softer approach, like "please note", is more suitable.