admonished him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "admonished him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a situation where someone is reprimanding or warning another person about their behavior or actions. Example: "The teacher admonished him for not completing his homework on time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

His wife admonished him.

The New Yorker

Another admonished him, saying, "No, no, no.

The New York Times

Nevertheless, the guard admonished him: "Hello.

The New Yorker

Blahyi admonished him for the paltry attendance.

The New Yorker

What about your family?" the young man admonished him.

The New York Times

Josh admonished him for his language, at which point Benji started bawling.

The New York Times

Pulitzer had taken it over, it did not support Dr. Parkhurst's violent outburst, and admonished him.

The New Yorker

With regal condescension, she admonished him for attacking Depardieu, his better.

The New Yorker

Raising his hand, Mr. De Niro again tried to speak, but quickly cowered after Justice Obus admonished him again.

The New York Times

Though del Toro was enthusiastic about Williams's work, he admonished him for incorporating too many signs of "infection or disease".

The New Yorker

The policeman saw his pistol on the seat, picked it up, and admonished him before giving it back.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "admonished him" when you want to convey a sense of formal disapproval or warning, especially from a position of authority or seniority.

Common error

Avoid using "admonished him" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for more conversational alternatives like "warned him" or "told him off" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "admonished him" functions as a verb phrase within a sentence, typically acting as the main verb to describe the act of reprimanding or cautioning someone. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples where this phrase is used to depict a person in authority correcting someone's behavior.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "admonished him" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase, primarily found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is used to describe situations where someone is being formally reprimanded or warned. While grammatically sound, "admonished him" carries a level of formality that makes it less suitable for casual conversation. Alternatives like "warned him" or "told him off" might be more appropriate in informal settings. Ludwig's examples consistently show "admonished him" used in scenarios involving authority figures correcting behavior, reinforcing its specific connotation and register.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reprimanded him

A more formal term for expressing disapproval or censure.

warned him

Focuses on alerting someone to potential danger or negative consequences.

chided him

Implies a gentle or playful form of reprimand.

scolded him

Suggests a more severe and angry reprimand.

reproached him

Highlights disappointment and disapproval.

rebuked him

A strong and formal expression of disapproval.

lectured him

Implies a lengthy and didactic reprimand.

corrected him

Focuses on pointing out errors and providing guidance.

counseled him against it

Offering advice to discourage a particular action.

advised him against it

Similar to "counseled", but with a slightly less formal tone.

FAQs

How can I use "admonished him" in a sentence?

You can use "admonished him" to describe a situation where someone is formally reprimanded or warned. For example, "The teacher "admonished him" for cheating on the test".

What are some alternatives to "admonished him"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "warned him", "reprimanded him", or "chided him". Each carries a slightly different nuance.

When is it appropriate to use "admonished him"?

"Admonished him" is suitable in formal or serious contexts where a person in authority is correcting someone's behavior or warning them about potential consequences.

Is "admonished him" too formal for everyday conversation?

Yes, "admonished him" is generally considered too formal for casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "told him off" or "warned him" are more appropriate in informal settings.