he was warned

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'he was warned' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this sentence in a variety of contexts when you want to indicate that someone received a warning. For example, "The officer warned the suspect that he was breaking the law, but he was warned."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was warned".

The Guardian

He was warned on both occasions.

The Guardian - Sport

He was warned by newspaper editors.

The Guardian

He was warned by the deputy prime minister.

The Guardian

He said he was warned by friends that he might "come out with extra body parts".

The New York Times

Breaking the pledge, he was warned cryptically, would bring even greater torment.

The New York Times

Manager Jason Martin began cleaning it up - but says he was warned off.

Independent

But at the last minute he was warned off by a nervous associate.

The Economist

He was warned to keep his eyes lowered and not to look out.

The New York Times

He contended he was warned at the outset that this would happen.

The New York Times

However he was warned by Mr Harvie that any attempts to restrict abortion in Scotland would be strongly resisted.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he was warned", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the warning and what the potential consequences were.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by explicitly stating who provided the warning. For example, instead of just saying "he was warned", specify "he was warned by the police officer" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was warned" functions as a passive voice construction, indicating that the subject (he) received a warning from an unspecified source. Ludwig AI confirms this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Academia

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was warned" is a common and grammatically sound passive construction used to convey that an individual received a warning. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is widely accepted and employed across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, the specific meaning and implications of the warning depend heavily on the surrounding context. When using "he was warned", be sure to provide clarity regarding the source and nature of the warning to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases like "he received a warning" or "he was cautioned" can offer subtle differences in emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received a warning

Focuses on the act of receiving the warning rather than the warning itself.

he was cautioned

Implies a more formal or official warning.

he was alerted to the danger

Highlights the element of risk or peril.

he was advised against it

Focuses on the recommendation given as part of the warning.

he had been forewarned

Emphasizes the fact that the warning occurred in advance.

he was put on notice

Indicates a formal declaration or caution.

he was given fair warning

Highlights the fairness or appropriateness of the warning.

he was tipped off

Suggests a discreet or informal warning, often about something illicit.

he was apprised of the risks

Implies a detailed explanation of the potential dangers.

he was given a heads-up

An informal way of saying he was given an advance warning.

FAQs

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

You can use "he was warned" to indicate that someone received a caution about potential danger or negative consequences. For instance, "He was warned about the dangerous currents".

What are some alternatives to saying "he was warned"?

Alternatives include "he received a warning", "he was cautioned", or "he was alerted", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "he was cautioned" or "he was warned"?

"He was cautioned" tends to be more formal, suggesting an official or serious warning, while "he was warned" is more neutral and can apply to a broader range of situations.

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

"He was warned" implies a potential negative consequence or danger, while "he was advised" simply means he received guidance or a recommendation. For example, "he was advised to seek legal counsel".