he was warned that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he was warned that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received a caution or notification about something that may happen or is expected to happen. Example: "He was warned that the storm could cause significant damage to the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Stange said he was warned that his life would be in danger if he returned to Iraq.

The New York Times - Sports

He was warned that if he told police about the incident, his parents' home would be burned.

The New York Times

He said he was warned that he risked losing his job when he raised concerns over a colleague's expenses claims.

The Guardian - Business

Because an orchiectomy often results in a drop in serum testosterone, he was warned that he might need hormone replacement.

The New York Times - Health

After nine more wretched months in London, he was warned that he again faced arrest for debt.

The Guardian - Music

He said he was warned that further interruptions would be treated "as interference with a democratic election".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

He is warned that he must be sober.

The New Yorker

He is warned that he will be sentenced to death for the murder.

The New York Times

Beseeching his loyal agent, Al Mark Rydelll), for advice, he is warned that if he backs out now, all hope for a comeback will be shattered.

The New York Times

But lately he's warned that it would be "unreasonable to manage the transition period without the institutions".

BBC

Taken under the wing of Camelot's physician, Gaius (Richard Wilson), he is warned that he must keep his innate magical ability a secret.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the register of your writing. While "he was warned that" is generally neutral, alternatives like "he was cautioned that" may be more appropriate for formal contexts.

Common error

Avoid overuse of passive voice constructions like "he was warned that", as it can sometimes obscure who issued the warning. If clarity is important, consider rephrasing to active voice: "Someone warned him that..."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he was warned that" functions as a reporting clause, introducing a piece of information that someone received as a warning. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable presence in English writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he was warned that" is a versatile construction for indicating that someone received a prior caution or advisory. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent use in various contexts, predominantly news and media. While generally neutral, the register can be adjusted using alternatives like "he was cautioned that" for more formal settings. A key consideration is to ensure clarity regarding the consequences of ignoring the warning and who issued it, avoiding overuse of the passive voice for enhanced impact and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he received a warning that

Replaces "was warned" with "received a warning", slightly emphasizing the reception of the warning.

he was cautioned that

Substitutes "warned" with "cautioned", implying a slightly more formal and official advisory.

he had been forewarned that

Using "forewarned" emphasizes the advance nature of the warning.

he was advised that

Replaces "warned" with "advised", suggesting a recommendation or counsel rather than a strict warning.

he was alerted that

Uses "alerted" instead of "warned", focusing on the aspect of bringing something to his attention.

he was informed that

Employs "informed" instead of "warned", indicating a simple conveyance of information, possibly without an implied threat or danger.

he was given notice that

Replaces "warned" with "given notice", suggesting a formal or official notification.

he was told that

A simpler and more direct way of saying "he was warned", lacking the implication of potential negative consequences.

it was brought to his attention that

More formal and indirect way of saying "he was warned", spreading responsability instead of focusing the warning on the person.

a warning was issued to him that

This alternative highlights the action of issuing a warning, rather than the state of being warned.

FAQs

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

Use "he was warned that" to indicate someone received a caution about a potential negative outcome. For example, "He was warned that the bridge was unstable".

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

You can use alternatives like "he was advised that", "he was cautioned that", or "he received a warning that" depending on the context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice with "he was warned that"?

While "he was warned that" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "They warned him that...") can provide greater clarity by explicitly stating who issued the warning.

What does "he was warned that" imply?

The phrase "he was warned that" implies a potential negative consequence if the warning is not heeded. It suggests a risk or danger that was communicated to the person in question.