a harsh warning

USAGE SUMMARY

"a harsh warning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you need to describe a warning that has a particularly stern or severe tone, such as: "The teacher gave the students a harsh warning to not talk during class."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

This, too, was immediately followed by a harsh warning of retaliation.

The New York Times

He predicts that China may issue a harsh warning to North Korea, and perhaps apply economic pressure as well.

The Economist

B5 ARTS E1-10 HOUsent HOME F1-16 CIRCUITS G1-8 EDUCaTION ScharshCommissioners warningtoe Education Department school harsh warning to scommissionersioners across the country.

The New York Times

For all the nostalgia "Follies" lavished on the past, its message was a harsh warning against living on memories and clutching at one's youthful illusions.

The New York Times

President Fernando Lugo of Paraguay, issued a harsh warning at a news conference, telling Brazil that if his country's territory was threatened, Paraguay would react swiftly.

The New York Times

The Serbian government issued a harsh warning to the democratic opposition today, promising "special measures" and prosecutions against those organizing a spreading general strike in Serbia intended to oust President Slobodan Milosevic of Yugoslavia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

In China, Global Times, which sometimes reflects government thinking, carried an unusually harsh warning to India.

The New York Times

At first, it seemed the harsh warning from the Revolutionary Guards might have persuaded Mousavi supporters into more muted action.

Independent

The announcement follows Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon's harsh warning that cryptocurrencies might "corrupt the nation's youth". Last month he urged regulators to create a task force alluding to crypto as a gateway to pyramid schemes and speculative investment if left unchecked.

Forbes

He cited Jesus' harsh warning to those who mislead and corrupt children, that: "It would be better to tie a big stone on their necks and throw them into the middle of the sea".

Unicef

When Austria's far-right Freedom Party entered government in the year 2000, there was an international backlash and harsh warnings from the country's closest allies.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a harsh warning" when you want to emphasize the severity and potential consequences of ignoring the advice or directive being given.

Common error

Avoid using "a harsh warning" in informal settings where a gentler approach is more appropriate. Reserve it for situations requiring a serious and impactful message.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a harsh warning" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the object or subject complement in a sentence. It describes the type of warning being given, emphasizing its severity. As confirmed by Ludwig, this usage is grammatically sound.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a harsh warning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to denote a severe caution with potentially serious consequences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for conveying urgency and seriousness, particularly in contexts like news reports, formal business communications, or critical assessments. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in casual settings. Alternatives such as "a stern caution" or "a grave warning" offer similar meanings with slight variations in tone. This phrase effectively serves to emphasize the importance of heeding the advice or directive being given.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a grave warning

Stresses the serious and critical nature of the warning.

a firm warning

Indicates the warning is resolute and unwavering.

a stern caution

Replaces 'warning' with 'caution', emphasizing a firm but potentially less severe tone.

a strong caution

Emphasizes the strength of the warning using 'strong' instead of 'harsh'.

a blunt warning

Highlights the directness and lack of subtlety in the warning.

a severe admonition

Uses 'admonition' to indicate a more formal and authoritative warning.

an explicit warning

Focuses on the clarity and directness of the warning.

a dire prediction

Highlights the potential for extremely negative outcomes.

a grim forecast

Shifts the focus to a future prediction that carries negative implications.

an ominous sign

Indicates the warning is less direct and more symbolic of impending problems.

FAQs

What does "a harsh warning" mean?

The phrase "a harsh warning" refers to a strong and severe caution, typically indicating serious consequences if the warning is not heeded.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "a harsh warning"?

Use "a harsh warning" in situations where the potential consequences of ignoring advice are significant, and a strong, serious tone is warranted. Examples include official statements, serious reprimands, or critical assessments.

What are some alternatives to "a harsh warning"?

You can use alternatives like "a stern caution", "a grave warning", or "a severe admonition" depending on the context.

Is "a harsh warning" grammatically correct?

Yes, "a harsh warning" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English to convey a strong and severe caution. Ludwig confirms this usage.