give warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give warning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when notifying someone about a potential danger or issue that they should be aware of. Example: "The weather service decided to give warning of the approaching storm to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But we also give warning that it won't be easy.

The New York Times

"Certain colourations give warning signals to other animals.

The Guardian

The Serbs give warning that, if Kosovo is lost completely, radical nationalists may come to power.

The Economist

Opposition leaders give warning that such "provocations" would lead to more tensions.

The Economist

Sometimes, as Mr. Biden's case seems to illustrate, aneurysms give warning signs.

The New York Times - Science

When they can get themselves heard, they give warning that the election could result in sacrificing Islamic values.

The Economist

But some tech veterans give warning that designing novel devices people feel comfortable wearing is an especially tricky task.

The Economist

Her stillness alone failed to give warning to her daughters that a catastrophe had occurred for all of them.

The New Yorker

The agencies' reputation was grievously harmed by their failure to give warning about the crisis in Asia.

The Economist

Some hedge-fund managers give warning that a crackdown will do more harm than good for investment research.

The Economist

Chief constables in England give warning that enforcing Mr Straw's curfews will require a lot of manpower.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "give warning" when you want to emphasize the act of providing a notification about potential danger, especially when the source of the warning is known or being highlighted.

Common error

Avoid using "give warning" in a passive voice construction when it obscures the source of the warning or weakens the impact of the message. Instead of saying "Warning was given", specify who gave the warning: "The weather service decided to "give warning" of the approaching storm to ensure everyone's safety."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give warning" functions as a verbal phrase, specifically acting as a verb with a direct object. It describes the action of providing a notification or alert about a potential danger, threat, or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "give warning" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe the act of alerting someone to potential danger or a coming problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, although it appears most frequently in news and media. Alternatives such as "issue a warning" or "provide a warning" can be used for slight variations in formality. When using "give warning", ensure clarity about who is providing the warning and avoid passive voice constructions that obscure the source. By understanding its function, purpose, and register, you can effectively use "give warning" in your writing to convey important information and prepare your audience for what's to come.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

issue a warning

Replaces the verb "give" with "issue", creating a slightly more formal tone.

provide a warning

Substitutes "give" with "provide", offering a similar level of formality to the original phrase.

alert to the danger

Focuses on the action of alerting someone, highlighting the danger aspect more directly.

warn of the risks

Highlights the risks involved, making the warning more specific.

caution about

Emphasizes the act of cautioning, often used for less severe risks.

forewarn about

Adds a sense of anticipation and prior knowledge to the warning.

advise of impending danger

More formal and detailed, specifying the type of warning and its timing.

raise the alarm

Implies a sense of urgency and wider communication of the warning.

sound the alarm

Similar to raising the alarm, but with a stronger implication of immediate action.

signal a threat

Focuses on the signaling aspect, often used in more technical or formal contexts.

FAQs

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

You can use ""give warning"" to indicate that someone is providing notification of a potential danger or problem. For example: "The seismograph can "give warning" of an impending earthquake."

What are some alternatives to ""give warning""?

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

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

Both ""give warning"" and "issue a warning" are correct. "Give warning" might imply a more general notification, while "issue a warning" often suggests a more official or formal declaration.

What's the difference between ""give warning"" and "warn"?

"Give warning" is a phrase that describes the action of providing a warning, while "warn" is a verb that directly states the act of alerting someone. For instance, you might ""give warning"" by "warning" them of the danger.