The phrase "be used to alert" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used in a sentence as a way to describe the purpose or function of something. Example: "The loud siren was used to alert the entire town of the approaching tornado."
Some experts say YouTube, MySpace and the like should be used to alert teenagers to the consequences of risky behavior.
Decision-support systems with voice recognition can be used to alert a controller as to when a risky or inappropriate command is given.
At the same time, a mobile-phone app could be used to alert a large swathe of people to a child's disappearance and to distribute photos of the missing kid.
Mobile phones, some of which are now equipped with satellite-positioning technology (see article), could be used to alert people to the charms of stores or restaurants they are walking or driving past.Tying ads to online searches from mobile phones is another potential goldmine.
The device could also be used to alert athletes and patients to a variety of medical conditions, including fatigue, dehydration, and overheating.
The STYLISTIC S01 is also equipped with a loud personal security alarm that can be used to alert people in the surrounding area in emergency situations.
Signals were used to alert inmates to abort assaults when other guards were in the area.
In the most recent earthquake, a new system of warnings was used to alert the population.
A code was used to alert the plateau to new arrivals, who were referred to as "stationery" or "books" to be delivered on specific days.
Indeed, so many of them died in landslides and explosions that a special envelope was used to alert their families back home.
The technology is also being used to alert drowsy drivers, diagnose brain trauma, train machine operators and provide surgeons with "a third hand" to control robotic equipment.
