give a warning

USAGE SUMMARY

"give a warning" is a correct and usable expression in written English.
You can use it to advise someone to be aware of the consequences of a certain action. For example: "We need to give a warning to our staff not to bring their personal problems into the workplace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They give a warning.

The New York Times - Books

"We'd give a warning.

The New York Times

You can't really give a warning about a front page.

Independent

"There is no technology that could give a warning in under five minutes," he said.

The New York Times

"The BBC had to give a warning about my potty mouth," she admitted.

The Telegraph

Before you turn the page and look through the first window of the cottage, I'd like to give a warning.

Columbia University

If the key is not present in the first file, give a warning and don't write it to the output.

Harvard University

wflag = 1 : only give a warning once! : 50% point th, the slope q, and the amplitude a.

Yale University

But it would give a warning to investors in shares and houses that the good times cannot last forever.

The Economist

But I must give a warning; do not try this at home, only in desperate straits when abroad.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Eight departments do not even explicitly require officers to give a warning, when possible, before the ECW is deployed.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "give a warning", ensure the context clearly indicates what the warning pertains to. Be specific about the potential consequences being warned against.

Common error

Avoid using "give a warning" without specifying what the warning is about. Unclear warnings can be ineffective. Always clarify the potential danger or consequence to ensure the warning is understood.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give a warning" functions as a verb phrase, where 'give' is the main verb and 'a warning' is the direct object. It describes the act of providing an alert or caution. Ludwig AI validates the correctness and usability of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Academia

26%

Science

24%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give a warning" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for alerting someone to potential danger or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is versatile across various contexts, as evidenced by its prevalence in news, academic, and scientific sources. While alternatives like "issue a warning" or "provide a warning" exist, "give a warning" remains a common and straightforward choice. When using the phrase, clarity is key; ensure the warning's context and potential consequences are well-defined for maximum effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue a warning

Replaces "give" with "issue", focusing on the formal act of delivering a warning.

provide a warning

Uses "provide" instead of "give", emphasizing the act of supplying the warning.

offer a warning

Substitutes "give" with "offer", suggesting a voluntary act of warning.

sound the alarm

Uses a more figurative expression to convey the urgency of a warning.

alert someone

Focuses on the recipient's state of awareness after receiving the warning.

caution someone

Emphasizes advising someone to be careful.

forewarn someone

Highlights the act of warning in advance.

advise of danger

Directly states the advising of potential harm.

put on notice

Highlights informing someone formally about something, often a negative consequence.

flag a concern

Uses "flag" to indicate bringing a potential problem to attention.

FAQs

What does "give a warning" mean?

"Give a warning" means to alert someone to a potential danger, problem, or negative consequence. It involves informing someone about something they should be aware of to avoid harm or make better decisions.

How can I use "give a warning" in a sentence?

You can use "give a warning" like this: "The lifeguard will give a warning to anyone swimming too far from the shore." Or, "The doctor had to give a warning about the side effects of the medication".

What are some alternatives to "give a warning"?

Alternatives to "give a warning" include "issue a warning", "provide a warning", "offer a warning", or "alert someone" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to "give a warning" or "issue a warning"?

Both "give a warning" and "issue a warning" are correct. However, "issue a warning" often implies a more formal or official context than "give a warning".