alert him about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alert him about" is correct and used in written English.
It means to inform or give a warning to someone about something. Example: Please alert him about the upcoming meeting at 3 pm.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

A colleague phoned to alert him about angry calls to the newspaper.

The New York Times

"As part of the process, Tom Hicks has had conversations with Alex regarding these inquiries and to alert him about potential options".

The New York Times - Sports

Num Chaiya, a D.J. at a local radio station in Khon Kaen, Red Station Radio, said it was military wives who had called to alert him about the train heading south.

The New York Times

With Soriano, an unassuming 24-year-old whose enthusiasm is visible in every stride he takes, it is not outrageous to believe that it actually took a boisterous fan to alert him about the chances of winning the most glamorous award in baseball.

The New York Times - Sports

He has informants in the police department who alert him about each new homicide, he says, and when the black phone in the office rings, his men speed off in their hearse to the latest murder scene.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Though the bank had alerted him about the fraudulent check, he said he had no inkling he could be arrested.

The New York Times

Wade Rathke said he learned of the problem when an employee of Citizens Consulting alerted him about suspicious credit card transactions.

The New York Times

Mr. Bulger, who is known as Whitey, has been a fugitive since 1995, after Mr. Connolly alerted him about a secret federal indictment charging him with racketeering and murder.

The New York Times

But Alfred Posamentier, a City College professor who has helped the Board of Education's recruiting effort in Austria, said that Austrian officials had alerted him about a recent visit by Florida recruiters.

The New York Times

The point would be to depose Thailand's democracy and with it the chances of electing yet another government loyal to Thaksin Shinawatra, the one figure who has united democratic majorities in recent years.Mr Thaksin, who is living in Dubai to avoid prosecution in Thailand, has advisers who alerted him about the imposition of martial law at 5.30am this morning.

The Economist

Here's the note I received from Russell Schweickart after I alerted him about the letter (he was unaware of it): As you know, this is a subject which I feel has become so "religified" (having been converted to religious belief (personally created word) on both sides of the issue, that I assiduously avoid it altogether.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Using this phrase is best when conveying important or critical information that requires immediate attention.

Common error

Avoid using "alert him about" in casual conversations or everyday scenarios. Opt for simpler phrases like "tell him about" or "let him know" to maintain a natural tone. Overusing this phrase can make your communication sound overly formal or alarmist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alert him about" functions as a transitive verb phrase. It indicates the action of making someone aware of something, typically something important or potentially dangerous. Ludwig confirms this usage with examples from news and media.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alert him about" is a grammatically correct verb phrase used to describe the act of informing someone of something, often with a sense of urgency. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage in news and media, it is relatively rare overall. When writing, consider the context and formality of the situation; simpler or more direct phrasing may be more appropriate in informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apprise him of

Replaces "alert" with the more formal "apprise", making the phrase sound more sophisticated and official.

notify him regarding

Replaces "alert" with a more formal synonym, "notify", and "about" with "regarding", making it slightly more formal.

give him notice of

Offers a formal tone, similar to a legal notification.

warn him concerning

Substitutes "alert" with "warn", emphasizing the potential danger, and "about" with "concerning", making it more serious.

inform him of

Uses a more general term, "inform", replacing "alert", which can be less urgent. It also uses the preposition "of" instead of "about".

make him aware of

This alternative is less direct and emphasizes bringing something to someone's attention rather than actively alerting them.

advise him on

Suggests providing guidance or counsel, shifting the focus from a simple notification to a more involved interaction.

let him know regarding

A more conversational and less formal way of conveying the same information.

call his attention to

This option is more indirect and polite, suitable for less urgent situations.

tell him about

Simplifies the phrase to a basic act of communication, losing the urgency implied by "alert".

FAQs

What does "alert him about" mean?

The phrase "alert him about" means to warn or inform someone about something, often implying a sense of urgency or potential danger.

What can I say instead of "alert him about"?

You can use alternatives like "notify him regarding", "inform him of", or "warn him concerning" depending on the context.

Is "alert him about" formal or informal?

"Alert him about" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It's suitable for news reports, official announcements, or situations where clear and direct communication is important. Simpler phrases like "tell him about" are more informal.

How to use "alert him about" in a sentence?

You can use "alert him about" in a sentence like this: "The colleague phoned to "alert him about" angry calls to the newspaper."