letter of warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "letter of warning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when formally notifying someone about a violation or issue that requires their attention, often in a professional or legal context. Example: "The company issued a letter of warning to the employee for repeated tardiness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

17 human-written examples

The law firm, Lavely & Singer, sent a letter of warning to roughly two dozen news media outlets on Monday.

The New York Times

"When the students did not respond to our requests, we issued them a letter of warning on March 15," the dean said.

The New York Times

Movie studios have responded forcefully to the increase in piracy, but many simply request that the downloader/uploader's ISP serve their users with a written letter of warning.

The Guardian - Tech

In May, 2006, inspectors at the Bank of Spain, the country's central bank and chief bank regulator, sent a strong letter of warning about a bubble to the Finance Minister, Pedro Solbes Mira.

The New Yorker

The safe path in Indiana will be to find some middle ground, deliver a slap on the wrist, slip a letter of warning into Knight's dossier, to keep him in charge of the Indiana basketball team.

The New York Times - Sports

The landmarks committee had persuaded the state's historic preservation office to send a letter of warning to the city recently, reminding it that the Ballantine building could not be sold without state approval because it is in a state historic district.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

Text of FDA letter to Wilson Text of warning letter to Batshaw Text of warning letter to Raper American Society of Gene Therapy.

Science Magazine

The data source of this study consisted of warning letters and notice of violation letters to companies as supplied by the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research CDERR) Freedom of Information Office (FOI) on the FDA's website [ 17].

BMC Health Services Research

Sincerely, Raymond A. Brown Dean — "University Sends Fear of Godd' Letter to Students With Senioritis" by Tanya Caldwell Bowdoin College has several classes of warning letters, according to Scott Meiklejohn, the dean of admissions.

The New York Times

These may be an artefact of higher frequency of warning letter distribution in certain regions with more diverse ethnic representation or may indicate a different sourcing pattern in wave 2 than in wave 1.

BMJ Open

The analysis of the type of regulatory letters released by the OPDP revealed a difference in the issuance trend of warning letters and notices of violation between administrations (Table  3).

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When issuing a "letter of warning", clearly state the specific policy or rule that was violated, the date of the violation, and the expected corrective action. Be direct and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using vague or general terms when writing a "letter of warning". Provide concrete examples of the behavior or action that prompted the warning to ensure the recipient understands the issue and how to correct it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "letter of warning" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It names a specific type of written communication. As Ludwig AI confirms, it serves to formally notify someone of a problem or violation, often with the implication of potential consequences if the issue isn't addressed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Wiki

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

14%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "letter of warning" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a formal notification concerning a violation or issue that demands attention. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and suitable for use in written English. It's commonly encountered in news, wiki and scientific contexts. To ensure effective communication, it's crucial to provide clear and specific details within the "letter of warning". Alternatives such as "warning notice" or "disciplinary notice" may be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cautionary letter

Emphasizes the cautionary aspect of the communication.

preliminary warning

Indicates that this warning is an initial step before more serious measures are taken.

warning notice

Focuses on the notification aspect, omitting the 'letter' format explicitly.

admonitory letter

Uses a more formal term for warning, implying advice or counsel against certain actions.

disciplinary notice

Emphasizes the disciplinary aspect, suitable when the warning is related to misconduct.

first warning

Explicitly states that this is the first instance of the warning, implying further actions if not heeded.

official reprimand

Highlights the official nature of the warning and its potential impact on the recipient's record.

formal caution

Highlights the formal nature of the warning as an important notice.

notice of violation

Highlights that a rule or agreement has been broken.

notice of concern

Highlights expressing worry about an action or event.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to send a "letter of warning"?

A "letter of warning" is typically sent after verbal warnings have been given and documented, and when an employee's behavior or performance continues to fall below expectations. It serves as a formal notification of the issue and potential consequences.

What information should be included in a "letter of warning"?

A "letter of warning" should include the date, recipient's name, a clear description of the issue, relevant company policies, expected corrective actions, a timeline for improvement, and potential consequences of failing to improve. It should also include contact information for questions.

What can I say instead of "letter of warning"?

Alternatives include "warning notice", "disciplinary notice", or "official reprimand", depending on the context and the severity of the situation.

What's the difference between a "letter of warning" and a "letter of reprimand"?

A "letter of warning" is usually issued as a preliminary step to address an issue, while a "letter of reprimand" is generally more severe and indicates that the issue is already a formal disciplinary matter. A letter of reprimand often follows a letter of warning if the problem persists.