he warned that

USAGE SUMMARY

"he warned that" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to introduce a warning or cautionary statement made by someone. Example: "He warned that the bridge was not safe to cross."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But, he warned, that might not be possible.

The New York Times

That's something, he warned, that can't be easily replaced.

Vice

He warned that "xenophobic attitudes" had hardened.

Independent

He warned that councils could go bust.

The Guardian

But he warned that these profits might not last long.

The New York Times

He warned that high prices could be here for years.

The Economist

But he warned that legislation on its own meant nothing.

The New York Times

But he warned that consumers have to be astute.

The New York Times

But he warned that the structural deficit was more worrisome.

The New York Times

He warned that "disorder will no longer be tolerated".

The New York Times

But he warned that innovation would not come easily.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he warned that" to introduce serious or potentially negative consequences. It clearly signals that the information following is a warning and should be taken seriously.

Common error

Avoid using "he warned that" excessively in your writing. While it is a valid phrase, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "he cautioned that" or "he advised that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "he warned that" is to introduce a subordinate clause that expresses a warning or cautionary statement. It serves as a reporting verb, indicating that someone has issued a warning. Ludwig provides numerous examples of this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he warned that" is a grammatically sound and frequently employed phrase, primarily used to introduce a cautionary statement or potential negative consequence. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is perfectly acceptable for use in written English. Its prevalence in News & Media underscores its utility in relaying important alerts and potential risks. While highly versatile, overuse should be avoided by incorporating synonyms to maintain writing dynamism. Remember to clearly convey the specifics of the warning following the phrase for maximum impact. The sources confirm that this phrase is correct.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he cautioned that

Replaces "warned" with "cautioned", offering a slightly less severe tone.

he advised that

Substitutes "warned" with "advised", indicating guidance rather than a direct warning.

he cautioned against

Focuses the warning on avoiding a specific action or behavior.

he alerted to the fact that

Uses a more formal structure to introduce the warning, emphasizing the factual basis.

he expressed concern that

Highlights the speaker's worry or apprehension about a situation.

he pointed out that

Focuses on highlighting a potential issue or risk.

he indicated that

Offers a more neutral way to signal a potential problem, without necessarily conveying a sense of alarm.

he predicted that

Specifies that the warning is based on a prediction of future events.

he foresaw that

Similar to "predicted", but with a stronger implication of insight or intuition.

he anticipated that

Suggests that the warning is based on a reasonable expectation of future events.

FAQs

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

"He warned that" is typically followed by a clause explaining the potential danger or negative outcome. For example, "He warned that the bridge was unstable."

What are some alternatives to "he warned that"?

Alternatives include phrases like "he cautioned that", "he advised that", or "he alerted to the fact that". The best choice depends on the specific context and the level of formality required.

Is it correct to say "he warned of" instead of "he warned that"?

While "he warned of" is grammatically correct, it requires a noun or gerund phrase following "of", whereas "he warned that" is followed by a clause. For example, "He warned of potential delays" versus "He warned that there might be delays."

What is the difference between "he warned that" and "he suggested that"?

"He warned that" implies a potential danger or negative outcome, while "he suggested that" offers a recommendation or piece of advice. The former carries a stronger sense of urgency and potential risk.