a friendly warning

USAGE SUMMARY

"a friendly warning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it when giving someone a cautionary statement (e.g. "As a friendly warning, please don't forget to turn off the stove before leaving the house.").

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Travel

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

A friendly warning?

The Guardian - Books

"A friendly warning, pal — this is a sports bar".

The New Yorker

Perhaps the Australian scientist intended a friendly warning.

The Guardian

The "Entering Stanley, Idaho" sign seemed more like a friendly warning than a welcome.

The New York Times - Travel

He should send Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright to Freetown with a friendly warning.

The New York Times

They occasionally cross walkers' paths, so give a friendly warning as you approach.

The Guardian - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Give a constructive, friendly warning.

WikiHow

Try to leave a very friendly warning first.

WikiHow

This is why it's tempting to think, with certain classical historians, that the Histories were composed as a kind of friendly warning about the perils of imperial ambition.

The New Yorker

From the start, Letterman took a much more unabashed, 'anything goes' approach: the first person on screen in the initial episode isn't even Dave himself but helium-voiced Late Night staple Larry Bud Melmanan, riffing on Boris Karloff's version of Frankenstein as he offers "a word of friendly warning" about what we're about to see.

BBC

Usually, advertisers will back down after a careful and friendly warning.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a friendly warning" when you want to convey a cautionary message in a gentle, non-threatening way. This approach is particularly effective in situations where you want to build rapport or maintain a positive relationship.

Common error

Avoid using "a friendly warning" when the situation requires a more serious or urgent tone. In high-stakes scenarios, a direct and unequivocal warning is more appropriate than a softened approach.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a friendly warning" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as a subject complement or an appositive. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to introduce a cautionary statement. Examples show it preceding the actual warning.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Books

8%

Less common in

Travel

8%

Science

5%

Arts

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a friendly warning" is a commonly used phrase that serves as a gentle introduction to cautionary advice. As Ludwig AI states, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly when maintaining a positive tone is important. It is grammatically correct and frequently found in news media and general writing. When writing, be mindful of the level of risk involved and ensure that the tone matches the seriousness of the situation. If the situation demands a more serious or urgent tone, a direct warning may be more appropriate. While generally neutral in register, avoid it in extremely Formal and Scientific contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

gentle heads-up

Replaces 'warning' with a more informal term, softening the tone.

polite caution

Emphasizes the respectful nature of the warning.

word of caution

Offers a more formal and serious alternative to 'warning'.

considerate forewarning

Highlights the thoughtfulness behind the advance notice.

amicable alert

Uses 'alert' to suggest a quicker, less detailed notification.

preemptive advice

Shifts focus to proactive guidance before a potential issue arises.

good-natured tip

Presents the warning as helpful advice rather than a potential threat.

early notification

Concentrates on the timeliness of the warning rather than its content.

veiled threat

Subtly indicates a negative outcome without a direct and open warning

advance notice

Focuses on the fact that information is provided beforehand.

FAQs

How can I use "a friendly warning" in a sentence?

You can use "a friendly warning" to introduce a piece of advice or caution, such as, "Here's "a friendly warning": remember to back up your data regularly."

What is a more formal alternative to "a friendly warning"?

For a more formal setting, consider using "word of caution" or "polite caution" which carry a more serious tone.

When is it inappropriate to use "a friendly warning"?

It's best to avoid "a friendly warning" when addressing critical safety issues or conveying urgent, non-negotiable instructions. In such cases, direct and explicit language is more effective.

What's the difference between "a friendly warning" and "veiled threat"?

"A friendly warning" is intended to help or inform someone in a non-threatening way, while a "veiled threat" implies a possible negative consequence if the advice is not heeded, often delivered indirectly.