as a warning of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a warning of" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that something serves to alert or caution someone about a potential danger or issue. Example: "The sign was placed at the entrance as a warning of the slippery floor ahead."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But another university may serve as a warning of how the program could go wrong.

The New York Times

Could hemlines have dropped last summer as a warning of woes on Wall Street?

The New York Times - Style

Social workers now show the picture to women as a warning of what could happen.

The Guardian

No one was hurt, but the bomb was seen as a warning of possible future actions.

The New York Times

The fate of Debaltseve served as a warning of what is at stake.

The Guardian

He has repeatedly cited the collapse of the Soviet Union as a warning of the costs of political laxity.

The New York Times

But it might serve as a warning of the dangers of striving for perfection, and the impossibility of perfection.

The New York Times

Like the Syrian nuclear project, that stands as a warning of the dangers of overconfidence that a threat is absent.

The New York Times

CCTV footage of the explosion was released by Hampshire police as a warning of the danger of such an action.

Independent

Protesters pointed to Iceland, where an economic meltdown has threatened savings, as a warning of what could happen to Spain.

The New York Times

Similar to many other brightly colored animals, its vividly painted body serves as a warning of its toxicity.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a warning of" to clearly signal a potential negative outcome or danger, ensuring the subject of the warning is explicitly stated for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "as a warning of" without specifying the exact nature of the threat or potential problem. Vague warnings can be ineffective and confusing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a warning of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or verb to indicate that something serves as an alert to potential danger or negative consequences. It introduces a cautionary element, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Science

23%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a warning of" is a versatile prepositional phrase used to indicate that something serves to alert or caution about a potential danger or issue. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. With a neutral tone, this phrase frequently appears in News & Media and Science contexts, emphasizing the importance of heeding potential risks. Remember to clearly specify the subject and nature of the warning to maximize its impact. When aiming for a different stylistic expression, you may want to consider as a caution against or to serve as an alert to, among others.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a caution against

Emphasizes the preventative aspect of the warning.

to serve as an alert to

Highlights the act of actively notifying someone about a danger.

as a harbinger of

Suggests that something is a sign of things to come, often negative.

to act as a deterrent to

Focuses on discouraging certain actions through the warning.

to forewarn of

Implies giving prior notice of potential danger or trouble.

by way of foreshadowing

Highlights the anticipatory aspect, particularly in narrative contexts.

as an indication of

Suggests a sign or clue, usually less direct than a warning.

to signal potential problems

Focuses on the communication of possible future issues.

in anticipation of

Conveys preparation and readiness for a potential event, often undesirable.

to exemplify potential pitfalls

Focuses on demonstrating possible dangers through a specific example.

FAQs

How can I use "as a warning of" in a sentence?

You can use "as a warning of" to indicate a potential danger or negative outcome. For instance, "The economic recession served "as a warning of" the risks of unregulated markets".

What are some alternatives to "as a warning of"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as a caution against", "to serve as an alert to", or "as a harbinger of", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "as a warning of" or "as a sign of"?

"As a warning of" specifically implies a cautionary message related to potential danger, while "as a sign of" is more general, indicating an omen or indicator. The best choice depends on the specific context.

What does "as a warning of" mean?

The phrase "as a warning of" means something serves to alert someone about a potential danger, problem, or negative outcome. It's often used to highlight that something should be taken seriously to avoid undesirable consequences.