forewarning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "forewarning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe an indication that something bad is going to happen, usually given in advance. For example, "The strange behavior of the trees was a forewarning of the coming storm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I often had calls from my own risk managers forewarning me that a senior trader was about to call me to complain about a declined transaction.

The Economist

It is no accident that the Sunni monarchies have been turning away from America: backing an army coup against the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt, attacking fighters in Libya without forewarning America and, rushing into Yemen to take on Iranian-funded Houthis.But before blaming this mess on Mr Obama's nuclear diplomacy, consider two arguments.

The Economist

It is arguable that no other British Prime Minister had ever got on so well with an American President as she did with Ronald Reagan, despite diplomatic tension over the Falklands, and over the US decision in October 1983 to overthrow the government of Grenada, a former British colony, without forewarning her.

Independent

I am forewarning you that this is the most addictive game I have come across since GTA San Andreas.

The Guardian - Sport

Planning meticulously and forewarning each curator of his intentions, he gained access to instruments, often lying undisplayed in storerooms, which he handled, measured, weighed, photographed, described and drew.

The Guardian - Music

Jenkins, by the way, didn't even pay D'Arcy the small courtesy of forewarning him about the Obama invite, though Jenkins had apparently vetted it with friendly leftwing bishops elsewhere.

The Guardian - Opinion

And that I am forewarning my daughter and her friends that this stuff lasts forever.

The Guardian - Opinion

Then, with no forewarning, the murk simply fell away.

The Guardian - Travel

Still, the Grant Park audience wants that final confirmation.And then it happens—suddenly, surprisingly, with no forewarning—"We are projecting that Barack Obama will be the next president of the United States", a newscaster blares over the loudspeaker.

The Economist

Conspiratorial types might even wonder if the Russian oil giant had some forewarning of the Russian authorities' decision to let the rouble slide.

The Economist

And though forewarning would help, there is no way of forestalling.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "forewarning" when you want to emphasize the act of warning someone in advance about a potential danger or problem. Ensure that the context clearly indicates what is being warned about.

Common error

Avoid using "forewarning" when the indication is merely a possibility and not a strong likelihood. Opt for words like "suggestion" or "hint" if the situation is uncertain.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "forewarning" is that of a noun, often used to describe the act of providing advance notice of a potential danger or problem. Ludwig confirms this usage through numerous examples, where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "forewarning" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of giving advance notice, typically of an impending danger or problem. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use, particularly in News & Media. While usable across various registers, it is most prevalent in neutral to formal contexts. The most effective way to leverage this term is to emphasize prior knowledge of something that might occur in the future. Alternatives include "advance notice" or "early warning". Being a versatile phrase it can be used in several context but with a high degree of precision to not incur in mistakes such as misunderstanding the level of certainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advance notice

Focuses on the temporal aspect of providing notification beforehand.

early warning

Highlights the importance of receiving the warning in a timely manner.

premonition

Implies a feeling or intuition about a future event, often negative.

omen

Refers to a sign or event believed to portend a future occurrence.

signal

Suggests a more subtle indication or clue.

heads-up

An informal way of saying that someone should prepare for something.

tip-off

Implies secret or confidential information.

alert

Emphasizes the need for vigilance and readiness.

cautionary tale

A story that serves as a warning.

portent

A sign or warning that something momentous or calamitous is likely to happen

FAQs

How can I use "forewarning" in a sentence?

You can use "forewarning" to indicate prior knowledge of an event, as in "The tremors served as a "forewarning" of the impending earthquake".

What are some synonyms for "forewarning"?

Alternatives include "advance notice", "early warning", or "premonition", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "forewarning" a formal or informal term?

"Forewarning" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though it tends to appear more frequently in formal writing and speech, especially in "news media" and professional settings.

What is the difference between "forewarning" and "warning"?

"Forewarning" specifically implies an advance warning, emphasizing that the warning was given before the event occurred. A "warning", on the other hand, may be given at any time, including during the event.