are on notice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are on notice" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate that someone has been informed or made aware of a situation, often implying that they should take action or be cautious. Example: "The employees are on notice regarding the upcoming changes in company policy and should prepare accordingly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

If 75 of them are "on notice" then why don't they consider the option of taking that redundancy package, when it's offered and go join a startup?

TechCrunch

The president repeated that colleges should be doing everything they can to keep tuition down, and that they are "on notice".

Huffington Post

"You are on notice!

The New York Times

The sellers are on notice.

Harvard Business Review

The league's trainers are on notice.

The New York Times

Surely now the terrorists are on notice!

The Guardian - Opinion

And major food makers are on notice.

The New York Times

The military brass cosseting predators are on notice.

The New York Times

Now it looks like late sleepers are on notice.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

The GMB's Ludkin said employers should be "on notice" that it was reviewing similar contracts.

The Guardian - Tech

Last year, Obama said schools were "on notice".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "are on notice" in legal or official documents, ensure that the context clearly defines the expected action or the consequences of inaction.

Common error

Avoid using "are on notice" in casual conversation; it's best reserved for situations where a formal warning or alert is appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are on notice" functions as a predicative expression, indicating that a person or group has been formally informed of something, often a warning or impending action. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to alert someone to a situation requiring attention.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are on notice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression primarily functioning to formally alert or warn someone. Ludwig AI confirms its usability across various domains, particularly in news, business, and academic contexts, reflecting a neutral to formal tone. To effectively employ "are on notice", remember it's best suited for serious communications where accountability is key. Avoid its use in casual conversations to maintain the appropriate level of formality. Alternatives like "be warned" or "take heed" can be used to convey similar meanings in different registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be warned

Directly advises someone to be cautious of potential danger or consequences.

take heed

Implies paying close attention to avoid negative outcomes.

be aware

Highlights the importance of being informed about a particular situation.

be informed

Focuses on the act of providing knowledge or notification.

consider yourself alerted

Formal way of saying someone has been officially notified.

you've been cautioned

Emphasizes the provision of a warning.

let the record show

More formal way of ensure something is formally documented.

mark my words

Emphasizes the importance of the statement that follows often a threat.

remember this

Highlights a point that should not be forgotten.

keep in mind

Reminds of an important fact or consideration.

FAQs

How can I use "are on notice" in a sentence?

You can use "are on notice" to indicate that someone has been informed about something, often with an implication of potential consequences. For example, "The employees "are on notice" regarding the new safety regulations".

What's the difference between "are on notice" and "be aware"?

"Are on notice" implies a formal notification and often carries the weight of potential consequences if the notice is ignored. "Be aware" is a more general term for having knowledge of something.

What can I say instead of "are on notice"?

You can use alternatives like "be warned", "take heed", or "be informed" depending on the context.

Is "being on notice" grammatically correct?

Yes, "being on notice" is grammatically correct, although less common than "are on notice". It usually appears in contexts where the state of 'being notified' is emphasized, such as, "Being on notice, they prepared for the audit".