it was warned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was warned" is not correct in standard written English.
It is not a commonly used expression and lacks clarity in meaning. Example: "Although it was warned that the storm would be severe, many people still ventured out."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Western Australia risks another credit downgrade unless it gets its budget in order, it was warned on Tuesday.

The Guardian

Maryland postponed a bond sale after it was warned that its credit rating would probably be lowered in the event of a federal downgrade.

The New York Times

As I said, I hardly met my father after he had the TB, because at that time, it was warned, because of its contagion.

Princeton University

More than 100 people and companies have filed suit against the authority, claiming it should be liable because it was warned to close its underground parking garage to the public.

The New York Times

On March 21st an RAF Tornado aborted its mission close to Tripoli after it was warned that civilians, including some foreign journalists, were close to its target.The strikes on Tripoli also raised the question of whether trying to kill Colonel Qaddafi himself was consistent with the terms of the Security Council resolution.

The Economist

Google suffered intensive disruption in China tonight just days after it was warned by the authorities to scale back its search operations.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

Girls will love it, be warned!

WikiHow

If you try to ride it, be warned that you could get tossed around pretty bad.

WikiHow

I was warned that it would be uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

Try it but be warned: It's simple, not easy.

Huffington Post

It has been warned.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using active voice constructions like "authorities warned" or "experts cautioned" for clearer and more direct communication.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice construction "it was warned" when the actor is easily identifiable. Instead of "It was warned that the building was unsafe", specify who issued the warning: "Inspectors warned that the building was unsafe."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was warned" primarily functions as a passive construction. It indicates that a warning was given, but it often lacks clarity regarding the source of the warning. Ludwig suggests that the phrase is not standard in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "it was warned" appears frequently across various sources, its grammatical correctness is questionable. Ludwig's analysis points out it's not standard in written English, suggesting the use of clearer, more direct alternatives. The phrase serves to indicate a prior warning but often lacks specificity. When writing, opting for active voice constructions like "authorities warned" improves clarity. Due to its awkward nature, consider "it was warned" as informal and prefer more direct, grammatically sound alternatives in professional or formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a warning was issued

This phrase shifts from a passive construction using "it" to a more direct statement about a warning being given.

they received a warning

This directly states that someone received a warning, clarifying the recipient.

they were cautioned

This alternative replaces the impersonal "it" with a specific subject, indicating who received the warning.

a caution was given

This uses a noun-based construction to express that a caution was issued.

advance notice was provided

This phrase emphasizes the provision of prior notification.

notification was given

Focuses on the act of notifying someone beforehand.

forewarning was provided

Highlights the act of providing a warning in advance.

an alert was raised

Indicates that a state of alert was initiated, implying a warning.

the alert was sounded

Similar to "an alert was raised", but uses the verb "sounded" which is more evocative.

cautionary advice was offered

Emphasizes the advice given as a warning.

FAQs

What does "it was warned" mean?

The phrase "it was warned" indicates that a warning was given, but the impersonal construction can make the sentence less clear. Consider using more direct language.

Is there a better way to phrase "it was warned"?

Yes, using an active voice construction like "they "were cautioned"" or "authorities warned" is often clearer and more concise.

When is it appropriate to use "it was warned"?

While grammatically questionable, "it was warned" might appear in informal contexts. However, in formal or professional writing, it's best to use a clearer alternative.

What are some alternatives to "it was warned" that still convey a sense of prior notification?

Alternatives include "a warning was issued", "they received a warning", or "advance notice was provided".