false alarms

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "false alarms" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to situations where a warning or alert turns out to be unfounded or incorrect. Example: "The fire drill was just a false alarm, and everyone returned to their desks after a few minutes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

False alarms, false hopes.

The Economist

Both statements were false alarms.

The New York Times - Food

"They're more often false alarms.

The New York Times

The day was riddled with false alarms.

The New York Times

Many were prone to false alarms.

The New York Times

Frequently, too, they sent out false alarms.

The New Yorker

The system has generated some false alarms.

The New York Times

All proved to be false alarms.

The New York Times

All turned out to be false alarms.

The New York Times

The computer periodically issued false alarms.

The New York Times - Health

"They're like bomb threats and false alarms.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about sensitive topics like security or health, be precise in differentiating between genuine threats and "false alarms" to avoid unnecessary panic.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "false alarms". While they can be disruptive, framing them as catastrophic without evidence can undermine credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "false alarms" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It typically acts as a subject, object, or complement within a sentence, denoting instances where warnings or alerts are triggered without a genuine threat. Ludwig AI's examples illustrate this across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "false alarms" is a common noun phrase referring to situations where alerts or warnings are mistakenly triggered. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use across various contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. While the phrase is generally neutral in tone, it's crucial to use it precisely to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "unfounded warnings" or "erroneous alerts" can provide nuanced meanings depending on the specific context. Being mindful of overstating the impact of "false alarms" will ensure clear and credible communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfounded warnings

Emphasizes the lack of basis for the warning.

erroneous alerts

Highlights the incorrect or mistaken nature of the alert.

mistaken warnings

Focuses on the error in issuing the warning.

groundless alerts

Highlights the lack of a valid reason for the alert.

inaccurate alarms

Emphasizes the lack of precision or correctness of the alarm.

spurious warnings

Suggests that the warnings are illegitimate or of questionable origin.

baseless alerts

Highlights the lack of support or evidence for the alert.

unjustified alarms

Indicates that the alarms are not warranted or have no good reason.

empty threats

Implies a potential danger that is not actually present.

crying wolf

Idiomatic expression for repeatedly raising false alarms, leading to disbelief when a real threat occurs.

FAQs

How can I use "false alarms" in a sentence?

You can use "false alarms" to describe situations where warnings or alerts turn out to be incorrect. For example, "The system generated several "false alarms" before identifying the actual threat."

What's a good alternative to saying "false alarms"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "unfounded warnings", "erroneous alerts", or "mistaken warnings".

Is it better to say "false alarm" or "false alarms"?

Use "false alarm" for a single instance and "false alarms" for multiple instances. For example, "It was a "false alarm"" versus "There were several "false alarms" last week."

What is the difference between "false alarms" and "near misses"?

"False alarms" are alerts that indicate a problem when none exists. "Near misses" are situations where a problem almost occurred but was averted. Therefore, "near misses" indicate a potential danger that was avoided, whereas "false alarms" do not involve any actual danger.