alert about

USAGE SUMMARY

"alert about" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
It is used to express caution about a particular situation or topic. Example: Parents need to be alert about the content their children are exposed to online.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"With Joe there, you're always alert about what's going on".

The New York Times - Sports

We are very alert about how the situation is evolving," he added.

Independent

I travel frequently and am constantly on alert about any service being offered.

The New York Times - Travel

A search on Tuesday for "New Haven flooding" showed a public alert about coastal flooding.

The New York Times

The F.D.A. announcement updated an October alert about 30 reports of Byetta patients developing the ailment.

The New York Times

Last week, Save the Children, another nonprofit group, issued an alert about the situation.

The New York Times

Subscribers can receive a single alert about an incident, or updates every time the status changes.

The New York Times

OSU police issued an alert about the situation around 9.52am local time on social media.

The Guardian

The February safety alert about a "dangerous trend" suggests that 2016 will not be much better.

The New Yorker

"We noticed because we try to be alert about these things.

The Guardian

"We do wish, though, that Priceline made the alert about resort fees a little more prominent," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "alert about", specify the source of the alert to enhance clarity. For example, "The system is set to alert about unusual activity" is more informative than "The system is set to alert."

Common error

Avoid using "alert about" in vague contexts. Instead of saying "Be alert about the situation", specify what aspects of the situation require attention or caution. For instance, "Be alert about potential scams in the area" is more precise.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alert about" functions primarily as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition, indicating a state of vigilance or notification concerning a specific subject. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is acceptable and widely used in English. The examples show its use in contexts ranging from technology alerting about system issues to individuals being cautious about potential threats.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alert about" is a commonly used and grammatically correct phrase that expresses a state of vigilance or notification concerning a specific subject. As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is well-accepted in English writing. It's prevalent in news and media, as well as scientific contexts, serving to convey caution or raise awareness about potential risks. When using this phrase, it is best practice to clearly specify what one should be "alert about" to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "vigilant regarding" and "mindful of", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vigilant regarding

This alternative emphasizes watchfulness, suggesting a proactive stance in noticing potential issues, where the original term focuses on being notified of them.

cautious about

Suggests a careful and hesitant approach due to potential risks, adding a layer of risk assessment to the awareness.

mindful of

This phrase emphasizes awareness and consideration of something, shifting the focus from a reactive alert to a continuous state of awareness.

on guard against

Emphasizes readiness to defend or protect against something, adding a proactive defensive element not explicit in the original phrase.

wary of

Highlights a sense of distrust or suspicion, suggesting a need for caution beyond simple awareness.

aware of

Focuses on having knowledge or perception of something, downplaying the sense of warning inherent in the original phrase.

on the lookout for

This phrase suggests actively searching or watching for something, whereas the original focuses on receiving an alert.

attentive to

This alternative highlights careful observation and responsiveness, reducing the sense of potential danger implied by the original.

heedful of

Implies paying close attention and taking something into consideration, emphasizing attentiveness.

informed about

Indicates having knowledge or information, rather than necessarily being in a state of readiness or warning.

FAQs

How to use "alert about" in a sentence?

You can use "alert about" to describe being watchful or notified about something. For example, "The system will alert about any unauthorized access attempts" or "Citizens should be alert about potential dangers in the area".

What can I say instead of "alert about"?

You can use alternatives like "vigilant regarding", "mindful of", or "aware of" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "alert about" or "alert to"?

Both phrases are used, but "alert about" typically refers to caution or notification concerning something specific, while "alert to" implies a general awareness or sensitivity. Choose the phrase that best fits the intended meaning.

What's the difference between "alert about" and "warn about"?

"Alert about" often implies a system or process that provides notification, while "warn about" suggests a direct communication of potential danger. You might say, "The alarm system will alert about intruders", or "The guide will warn about dangerous wildlife".