be warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be warning" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It seems to be an incorrect construction and does not convey a clear meaning in standard English usage. Example: "You should be warning others about the potential dangers."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

What will be warning signs?

The New York Times

These could be warning symptoms of stroke.

Harvard University

The history of Europe should be warning enough.

The Guardian - Opinion

Those early searches, they believe, can be warning flags.

The New York Times - Tech

Byrom is also unconvinced that schools should be warning pupils off Oxbridge altogether.

The Guardian

It is not just the stock market that appears to be warning of a weakening economy.

The New York Times

He seems to be warning, appropriately enough, against benighted political correctness.

Nature

She said there would be warning labels all over the package.

The New York Times - Tech

Suicide bombers, he seemed to be warning, would blow themselves up through eternity.

The New York Times - Magazine

Mr. Nursick said there would still be warning lights and reflectors at the location.

The New York Times

So you might expect the multinationals to be warning of trouble ahead, just as they promised riches before.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you intend to use "be warning", consider using the grammatically correct alternatives such as "give a warning", "issue a warning", or "warn about" to ensure clarity and precision in your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "be warning" as it is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use the verb "warn" in the appropriate tense, such as "is warning", "was warning", or "will be warning", depending on the context. For instance, instead of "He be warning us", say "He is warning us."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be warning" functions as an incorrect attempt to form a continuous verb tense. Ludwig AI indicates that this construction is not grammatically sound. While commonly found, the correct usage would involve using "warn" with appropriate auxiliary verbs to form tenses like 'is warning' or 'was warning'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Science

27%

Wiki

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be warning" is frequently encountered, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided by Ludwig. However, it's crucial to recognize that, according to Ludwig AI, this construction is grammatically incorrect. The intention behind using "be warning" is typically to express an ongoing action of alerting or cautioning someone about potential dangers. To ensure grammatical correctness and clarity, it is advisable to use alternatives such as "is warning", "was warning", "give a warning", or "issue a warning". While the phrase appears across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, adhering to proper grammar enhances the credibility and formality of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

provide a warning

Changes the verb form from 'be warning' to 'provide a warning', using a noun ('warning') instead of a verb in present participle.

issue a warning

Replaces "be warning" with "issue a warning", focusing on the act of formally giving a warning.

give a caution

Substitutes "warning" with "caution", which is a synonym, and uses the verb "give" instead of "be".

alert someone to

Replaces "be warning" with the verb "alert", indicating a direct action of informing someone of a potential danger.

caution against

Uses "caution" as a verb, specifying that the warning is against something.

forewarn of

Employs "forewarn", which means to warn in advance, emphasizing the preemptive nature of the warning.

advise about

Uses "advise" instead of "warn", softening the intensity of the message to a recommendation.

signal a threat

Shifts the focus to the signal of a threat rather than the act of warning, useful when the warning is implicit.

indicate danger

Similar to 'signal a threat', this focuses on indicating the presence of danger without explicitly warning.

raise the alarm

Implies a public or widespread warning, often about an immediate or escalating threat.

FAQs

How to correct the phrase "be warning"?

The phrase "be warning" is grammatically incorrect. Use alternative constructions like "give a warning", "issue a warning", or use "warn" in the correct tense such as "is warning" or "was warning".

What does it mean to "give a warning"?

To "give a warning" means to caution someone about a potential danger, problem, or undesirable situation. It's an act of alerting someone to something they should be aware of.

Is "be warning" grammatically correct?

No, "be warning" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct usage would involve using "warn" in the proper tense and form, such as "is warning", "was warning", or "will be warning".

What are some synonyms for "warning"?

Synonyms for "warning" include "caution", "alert", "admonition", and "forewarning". The best choice depends on the specific context.