issue a warning

USAGE SUMMARY

"issue a warning" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to tell someone to be cautious about a potential problem or danger. For example, "The police issued a warning to people to be careful if they leave their homes after dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

So why issue a warning?

The New York Times

But it does issue a warning.

The New Yorker

When I do those things, I have to issue a warning — stand back!

The New York Times - Magazine

As ever with Dyer, you have to issue a warning about possible category errors.

The Guardian

We did issue a warning but we should make it stronger and clearer".

The Guardian

They lauded the jury's findings on Monday while seeming to issue a warning to others.

The New York Times

BMW is yet another company to issue a warning about the impact of a Chinese slowdown.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pitch prompted Rob Drake, the home-plate umpire, to issue a warning to both teams.

The New York Times - Sports

"After the third caution, he's supposed to issue a warning and deduct 2 points.

The New York Times - Sports

The umpires did not issue a warning, but maybe they should have.

The New York Times - Sports

Still, it is relatively rare for the agency to issue a warning about potentially unsafe foods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "issue a warning", ensure the context clearly indicates the source and recipient of the warning, as well as the potential danger or problem being addressed.

Common error

Avoid using "issue a warning" when you mean to convey that someone is paying attention to a warning. "Issue a warning" means to give or release a warning, while "heed a warning" means to pay attention to and follow the advice given in a warning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "issue a warning" functions as a verb phrase followed by a noun phrase. It typically describes the act of officially or formally delivering a cautionary message about a potential threat or danger. Ludwig provides numerous examples illustrating its use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

22%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "issue a warning" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the act of delivering an alert about a potential danger. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely used across diverse contexts, including news, science, and formal communications. While alternatives like "give a warning" or "provide a warning" exist, "issue a warning" often carries a sense of officialdom or formality. When using this phrase, be mindful of its specific meaning and ensure that the source, recipient, and potential danger are clear. Remember to "heed a warning" yourself by avoiding the common mistake of confusing it with "heed a warning", which means to pay attention to the advice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

give a warning

Replaces "issue" with "give", maintaining the core meaning with a more common verb.

provide a warning

Substitutes "issue" with "provide", offering a slightly more formal tone.

release a warning

Replaces "issue" with "release", often used when the warning is official or public.

send out a warning

Uses "send out" instead of "issue", emphasizing the dissemination of the warning.

sound a warning

Employs "sound" to convey a sense of urgency or alarm associated with the warning.

deliver a warning

Replaces "issue" with "deliver", suggesting a formal or official communication of the warning.

raise an alert

Shifts the focus to the action of alerting someone, implying a warning.

caution

Uses a single verb instead of the phrase, indicating a warning or advising against something.

admonish

Implies a stronger, more formal warning or rebuke.

forewarn

Highlights the act of warning someone in advance of a potential problem.

FAQs

How can I use "issue a warning" in a sentence?

You can use "issue a warning" to describe the act of giving an alert about potential danger. For example, "The weather service will "issue a warning" if a hurricane approaches."

What's the difference between "issue a warning" and "give a warning"?

While both phrases are very similar, "issue a warning" often implies a more official or formal communication, whereas "give a warning" can be more casual. For example, a government agency might "issue a warning", while a friend might "give a warning".

What can I say instead of "issue a warning"?

You can use alternatives like "provide a warning", "release a warning", or "sound a warning" depending on the specific context and the level of formality you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "issue a cautionary" instead of "issue a warning"?

While "cautionary" can function as an adjective, "issue a cautionary" is not a standard phrase. It's more common and grammatically sound to say ""issue a warning"" or "offer a cautionary note".