heed of warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "heed of warning" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize the importance of taking notice of a warning. For example, "I gave him a heed of warning but he still chose to ignore it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

She confesses to a certain naivety when she first started the business and failed to take heed of warning signs with this particular client.

The Guardian

When childcare protection agencies come into contact with women who end up killing their babies, they often fail to take heed of warning signs not because of bureaucratic blunders, but because they label the women "attention-seeking" - another example of our sheer disbelief that some women might act on their aggressive impulses.

The Guardian

He was unable to provide a "definitive explanation" for the rise in suicides, but cited some "sadly familiar issues" that were recurring, such as failure to take heed of warning signs that prisoners might be at risk of suicide.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

As ambulance services in London reported a 14% spike in 999 calls due to breathing problems and forecasters predicted the poor conditions would subside by the weekend, Cameron urged people to take heed of warnings from the Met Office and public health officials.

The Guardian

Le Guin's speculations about the future have proven to be eerily correct in some cases, such as cross-continent communication, so when she says "hard times are coming," it might be worth heeding her words of warning.

Huffington Post

But West had overlooked one important possibility: South, taking heed of the warning, ran from an impossible slam to a makable one, six no-trump.

The New York Times

People are taking heed of the warning that silence is complicity.

Huffington Post

He warned that people in those areas should take heed of the warnings, and watch to see if flood alerts switched to warnings.

BBC

However, Stalin took no heed of these warnings.

The Guardian

Each of these can be debated on its merits, but have we taken heed of the warnings of those writers who witnessed the devastation of the Civil War, in which more than 600,000 died?

Huffington Post

They reached broadly similar conclusions: the regulations on the number of lifeboats that ships had to carry were out of date and inadequate; Captain Smith had failed to take proper heed of ice warnings; the lifeboats had not been properly filled or crewed; and the collision was the direct result of steaming into a danger area at too high a speed.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "heed of warning", ensure the context clearly indicates what the warning pertains to. Specificity enhances clarity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "heed of warning" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "pay attention to" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "heed of warning" functions as a noun phrase that emphasizes the act of paying attention to a warning signal. Although relatively uncommon, it serves to highlight the importance of acknowledging and responding to potential danger or risk. The examples provided by Ludwig show it in contexts where failing to do so can have negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "heed of warning" is a grammatically correct but relatively rare phrase used to emphasize the importance of paying attention to and acting upon a warning. According to Ludwig, while correct, "heed of warning" appears less frequently than alternatives such as "take heed of the warning" or "pay attention to the warning". Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it carries a neutral register and serves to urge caution. When using the phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure appropriate formality. Alternative phrasing may be more suitable in less formal communications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take notice of the warning

Focuses on the act of noticing the warning.

pay attention to the warning

Emphasizes attentiveness to the warning.

take heed of the warning

A more formal way of saying pay attention to the warning.

mind the warning

Highlights the importance of being mindful of the warning.

be mindful of the warning

Expresses the need for careful consideration of the warning.

consider the warning

Suggests a careful evaluation of the warning.

listen to the warning

Focuses on actively listening and acknowledging the warning.

acknowledge the warning

Highlights the act of recognizing the validity of the warning.

obey the warning

Emphasizes compliance with the warning's implications.

recognize the warning signs

Focuses on identifying the warning signals.

FAQs

How can I use "heed of warning" in a sentence?

You can use "heed of warning" to emphasize the importance of paying attention to a specific warning. For example: "Despite the "take notice of the warning", he proceeded with the risky maneuver."

What is a more common way to say "heed of warning"?

More common alternatives include "pay attention to the warning", "take heed of the warning", or simply "notice the warning" depending on the context.

Is "heed of warning" formal or informal?

"Heed of warning" leans toward the formal side. In informal contexts, phrases like "pay attention to" or "be mindful of" are generally preferred.

What's the difference between "heed of warning" and "take heed of the warning"?

"Take heed of the warning" is a more complete and commonly used phrase. "Heed of warning" is less frequent and might sound slightly incomplete to some native speakers, but conveys the message appropriately.