alert them of

USAGE SUMMARY

"alert them of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe informing or warning someone about something, usually something that has the potential to be dangerous or to cause harm. For example: "We need to alert them of the risk of a forest fire."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

The Shahs have close links to local politicians, who alert them of impending infrastructure plans.

The Guardian

Dre finds Cookie and Hakeem at Wallace to alert them of Mimi and Camilla's plan.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Citizens routinely download apps to their cellphones that alert them of impending shaking, and the apps even facilitate communication with rescuers for those pinned under debris.

University of California, Berkeley

The app, called PetRescuers, taps into a database of 500,000 volunteers who receive e-mails to alert them of lost pets in their area.

The New York Times

They also had an apparent change of heart about police involvement, contacting West Yorkshire police to alert them of the two inquiries.

The Guardian

Larry Rosenfeld, our co-navigator and my partner in Team Adventure, sent all the competitors an advisory, to alert them of the danger.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

They say they received phone calls alerting them of the impending attacks.

The Guardian

It monitors customers' driving, alerting them of higher-risk behaviors and rewarding safe drivers with lower insurance rates.

The Guardian

But those affected will soon receive a message from Reddit alerting them of the intrusion, the company said.

The Washington Post

"There was no official correspondence from the Government to the individuals affected, alerting them of the changes that were going to happen to them".

Independent

She and her colleague alternated 12-hour shifts working on weather forecasts for helicopters and troops, alerting them of wind and sand storms.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "alert them of" to convey potential risks or issues, ensuring they are prepared to take necessary actions.

Common error

While "alert them of" is generally acceptable, avoid using it in very casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "let them know" would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "alert them of" is a verb phrase acting as a transitive verb with a prepositional complement. It requires a direct object ("them") and a prepositional phrase to specify what they are being alerted about. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples illustrating its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Academia

15%

Wiki

13%

Less common in

Science

11%

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "alert them of" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to inform or warn a group about a specific issue. Ludwig AI confirms its wide applicability across various domains, including news, academia, and technical writing. It's crucial to use it when conveying information that requires prompt attention or action. While generally neutral, consider simpler alternatives for very casual contexts. Remember that using "alert them of" means providing information with a sense of urgency, ensuring recipients are aware and prepared to respond.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

notify them about

Uses "notify" instead of "alert", indicating a slightly more formal tone, and "about" instead of "of".

inform them about

Replaces "alert" with "inform", suggesting a neutral transmission of information rather than a warning.

warn them about

Substitutes "alert" with "warn", emphasizing the cautionary aspect of the message.

advise them of

Replaces "alert" with "advise", indicating a more formal and professional context.

make them aware of

Uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the meaning of informing someone about something.

give them notice of

Employs a formal tone, suggesting an official announcement or communication.

let them know about

Offers a more casual alternative, suitable for informal settings.

bring it to their attention

Focuses on highlighting something that needs attention, rather than just informing.

point out to them

Indicates directing someone's focus to a specific detail or piece of information.

apprise them of

Uses a formal and somewhat archaic term for informing, suitable for official documentation.

FAQs

What does "alert them of" mean?

"Alert them of" means to inform or warn someone about something, often something important or potentially dangerous. It implies a need for attention and possible action.

How can I use "alert them of" in a sentence?

You can use "alert them of" like this: "We need to "notify them about" the change in schedule." or "The system will "inform them about" any security breaches".

What can I say instead of "alert them of"?

You can use alternatives like "notify them about", "inform them about", or "warn them about" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "alert them to" or "alert them of"?

While both are grammatically acceptable, "alert them of" is more commonly used and generally preferred, especially when referring to information or a situation. "Alert them to" is often used to direct their attention to something specific.