he warned me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he warned me' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation in which someone was cautioning you against doing a certain action. Example: He warned me not to take shortcuts through the alley at night.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He warned me against going back.

The Guardian - Arts

"Don't answer that!" he warned me.

The New York Times

"Williamsburg causes depression," he warned me.

The New York Times - Style

With one condition: "You better dress cool," he warned me.

The New York Times - Magazine

He warned me to steer clear of advertising agencies.

The New York Times

Moreover, he warned me, the caretaker rarely showed up.

The New York Times - Travel

He warned me that the treatment would be devastating".

The New York Times

But he warned me, "The mechanism isn't working".

The New Yorker

Mr Hashi said: "He warned me not to get on the flight.

Independent

"It's not good," he warned me this morning before I left the building.

The New York Times

"I am very shy with people I don't  know," he warned me.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he warned me", clearly state what the warning was about to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of just saying "He warned me", specify "He warned me about the icy road conditions".

Common error

Avoid vague warnings. Instead of saying "He warned me about the project", specify the nature of the warning: "He warned me that the project's deadline was unrealistic".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he warned me" functions as a reporting clause, introducing information about a warning that was given. It's used to convey that someone provided caution or alerted the speaker to a potential danger or negative consequence, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he warned me" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to report a warning or cautionary advice received from someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across a wide range of contexts, particularly in news and media. While it's important to provide specific details about the warning for clarity, this phrase serves as a useful tool for conveying potential dangers or negative consequences. Remember that other alternatives like "he cautioned me" or "he advised me against it" may offer subtle differences in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he cautioned me

Replaces "warned" with a synonym suggesting a milder level of concern or advice.

he advised me against it

Uses a more formal tone, suggesting professional or experienced advice.

he told me to be careful

Emphasizes the need for caution without explicitly stating a threat or danger.

he alerted me to the danger

Highlights the presence of a specific danger or risk.

he informed me of the risks

Focuses on providing information about potential negative outcomes.

he urged me to reconsider

Suggests a strong recommendation to rethink a decision.

he dissuaded me from doing it

Indicates an attempt to actively discourage a particular action.

he let me know the possible consequences

Focuses on explaining the results that might occur because of an action.

he set me straight

Informal way of saying the person helped me get back on track or corrected me.

he clued me in

To inform someone about something.

FAQs

How can I use "he warned me" in a sentence?

You can use "he warned me" to introduce a piece of advice or a cautionary statement someone gave you. For example: "He warned me not to trust strangers".

What can I say instead of "he warned me"?

You can use alternatives like "he cautioned me", "he advised me against it", or "he alerted me to the danger" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "he warned to me"?

No, "he warned to me" is grammatically incorrect. The correct phrasing is "he warned me". The verb "warn" takes a direct object, which is the person being warned.

What's the difference between "he warned me" and "he advised me"?

"He warned me" implies a potential danger or negative consequence, while "he advised me" suggests offering guidance or a recommendation. Warning carries a sense of urgency or potential harm, while advice is generally more benign.