merely a warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "merely a warning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is just a caution or alert, without any further implications or consequences. Example: "The notification you received is merely a warning about the upcoming deadline, not a final decision."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The assault on the police torture centre in Lahore on 8 March was merely a warning.

Independent

The notification was merely a warning, and it did not require airlines to act.

The New York Times

"The sell-off was merely a warning shot," says Chris Watling of Longview Economics, a strategist who recently forecast a correction.

The Economist

Is that merely a warning against spamming iPhone users senseless or an attempt to pre-emptively carve out a niche for their own Quattro Wireless?

The Guardian - Tech

A spokesman for the site claimed at the time that the message was not a threat, merely "a warning of the reality of what will likely happen to them".

The New York Times

So, the Internet detectives wonder, was this attack merely a warning to the Norwegian government?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The wounding is, as it happens, an accident — the shot had been intended merely as a warning — but it quickly becomes clear to the Gaults that they must leave their beloved home.

The New Yorker

For several weeks after the wall went up, quite a few refugees reported that they had been able to cross the border because the Vopos had looked the other way, or had merely fired a warning shot or two in the air, in an effort to avoid drawing suspicion on themselves.

The New Yorker

But it remains unclear if the bill will pass Parliament in its current form and, even then, whether and how the government would employ the rules — to crack down on dissent or merely as a warning to opponents not to go too far.

The New York Times

An employee repeatedly makes homophobic, racist, or sexist remarks to their colleagues, but the company has deemed the individual critical to the functioning of the sales team, and so is merely given a warning.

TechCrunch

Whereas on Wellman's account one can commit an act of terrorism without either engaging in or threatening violence, merely by making a threat in order to intimidate, on Goodin's account one need not even make a threat: one acts as a terrorist by merely issuing a warning about the acts of others that is meant to intimidate.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "merely a warning" to downplay potential overreactions to initial indicators. For example, "The red light on your dashboard is merely a warning; it doesn't necessarily mean your engine is failing."

Common error

Avoid using "merely a warning" when the situation genuinely warrants serious concern. It can minimize legitimate risks or issues if used inappropriately.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "merely a warning" functions as a qualifier, modifying a statement to indicate that it is simply a preliminary notice and should not be interpreted as something more significant or consequential. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "merely a warning" is a grammatically sound phrase used to minimize the perceived severity of an alert or notification. As Ludwig AI points out, it correctly signals that something is just a caution, with no further implications. While its frequency is uncommon, the phrase appears across various reputable sources like The New York Times and The Economist, mainly within news and media contexts. When using "merely a warning", ensure that the situation genuinely warrants downplaying; otherwise, it could unintentionally trivialize important issues.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a caution

Emphasizes the cautionary aspect while using simpler vocabulary.

simply a notice

Highlights the informational aspect, suggesting a basic announcement.

only a heads-up

A more informal way to indicate a preliminary alert.

just a preliminary alert

Specifies that the warning is initial and not necessarily definitive.

a gentle reminder

Softens the tone, suggesting a mild form of caution.

nothing more than a caution

Reinforces the idea that there are no further implications.

purely a preliminary notification

Formal and emphasizes the notification aspect.

a light caution

Suggests the warning is not severe.

a minor alert

Indicates the alert is not of great importance.

a tentative warning

Implies the warning is not yet definitive or certain.

FAQs

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

You can use "merely a warning" to indicate that something is just a caution or alert, without any further implications or consequences. For example: "The notification you received is "merely a warning" about the upcoming deadline, not a final decision."

What are some alternatives to "merely a warning"?

Alternatives include phrases like "just a caution", "simply a notice", or "only a heads-up", depending on the context and level of formality you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "just a warning" instead of "merely a warning"?

Yes, "just a warning" is a perfectly acceptable and often more common alternative. The two phrases are largely interchangeable, although "merely a warning" might sound slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "merely a warning" and "a serious threat"?

"Merely a warning" minimizes the potential impact or severity of a situation, suggesting it's a preliminary notice. In contrast, "a serious threat" indicates significant potential harm or negative consequences.