has been warned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been warned" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used when you want to emphasize that a person has been warned about something before. For example, "The company has been warned about safety violations repeatedly, but it has not taken appropriate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Politics

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It has been warned.

The Economist

Like his roommate, Nassib has been warned.

The New York Times - Sports

Grosjean has been warned.

The Guardian - Sport

Eriksson has been warned.

The Guardian - Sport

Europe has been warned.

The Guardian - Sport

Congress has been warned in the past.

The New York Times

The government has been warned many times.

The Guardian

He has been warned not to cycle around Terengganu.

The New York Times

He has been warned about MinnesotaOs state bird.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

Congress has been warned that our democracy is under attack by the Russians.

The Washington Post

Everyone in city and state government has been warned about the risk it poses to children.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, follow it with a specific detail about what they were warned about. For instance, "He has been warned about the dangers of ignoring safety protocols."

Common error

Avoid using "has been warned" when an active voice construction would be clearer and more direct. For example, instead of "He has been warned by the manager", consider "The manager warned him."

Linguistic Context

"Has been warned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence is the recipient of a warning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct grammatical structure and frequent use in diverse contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "has been warned" is a common and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that someone received a prior warning. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase adheres to standard English grammar. Predominantly found in news and media, it often implies accountability and impending scrutiny. Remember to follow up with specifics about the warning when using the phrase. Keep in mind the active voice can sometimes be more direct. Semantically related phrases include "was cautioned" or "received a warning".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was cautioned

Uses a simpler verb form, focusing on the act of cautioning in the past.

received a warning

Emphasizes the reception of the warning itself.

was alerted

Implies a notification of potential danger or problems.

was given notice

Highlights the formal communication of a warning.

was forewarned

Focuses on the warning coming in advance of an event.

had been forewarned

Adds emphasis on the timing of the warning before an event.

was advised against

Highlights the giving of advice to not take some action.

was put on notice

Conveys a sense of official or formal warning.

was apprised of the danger

More formal, emphasizing the conveying of awareness about the danger.

had wind of

Suggests receiving information through informal or unofficial channels.

FAQs

What does "has been warned" mean?

The phrase "has been warned" means that someone has received a caution or notification about a potential danger, problem, or consequence. It implies that the person is now aware of the risks or negative outcomes associated with a particular action or situation.

How can I use "has been warned" in a sentence?

You can use "has been warned" to indicate that someone was notified about a potential negative outcome. For instance, "The company "has been warned" about safety violations." or "He "has been warned" not to repeat the offense."

What are some alternatives to "has been warned"?

Alternatives to "has been warned" include "was cautioned", "received a warning", or "was alerted". Consider also "was given notice", which you can read more on "was given notice".

What is the difference between "has been warned" and "was warned"?

"Has been warned" implies a warning received at an unspecified time in the past but with continuing relevance to the present. "Was warned" simply indicates that a warning occurred in the past, without necessarily implying a continuing effect. Consider that ""has been warned"" might imply a more formal setting as well.