only a warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "only a warning" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that a situation is not serious enough to warrant further action beyond a warning. Example: "The officer pulled me over for speeding but let me go with only a warning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

zone but receiving only a warning.

The New York Times - Sports

The first date is only a warning.

The New York Times

A court refused, however, and issued only a warning.

The New York Times

Before March 1, Edwards would have been subject to only a warning.

The New York Times - Sports

Because Rasmussen's missed tests were from two different organizations, he received only a warning from the cycling union.

The New York Times - Sports

A Belarussian official was later quoted by the Interfax news agency as saying that this was only a "warning" in response to the Russian threat on oil.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

Toyota responded by recalling 55,000 of the vehicles, but only enlarged a warning label on the underside of the mat and on its packaging.

Los Angeles Times

Simultaneous to a media campaign, the San Carlos Police Department began a 3-month enforcement grace period, during which officers would stop drivers who were not wearing a seat belt but would only issue a warning citation.

Global health, science and practice

The network may sense an increase in activity if the volcano becomes very restless, but this may only provide a warning for a large eruption.

Wikipedia

It may sense an increase in activity if the volcanic field becomes very restless, but this may only provide a warning for a large eruption.

Wikipedia

It may sense an increase in activity if the volcano becomes very restless, but this may only provide a warning for a large eruption.

Wikipedia

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "only a warning" to clearly communicate that a situation resulted in a minor consequence, but that future occurrences might lead to more severe penalties. This can be effective in conveying the seriousness of potential rule violations or risky behaviors.

Common error

Avoid using "only a warning" when the situation genuinely requires a stronger response. Downplaying the incident can undermine the message and lead to repeat offenses or greater risks.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "only a warning" functions as a qualifier, minimizing the impact of a consequence. It indicates that while there was a breach or infraction, the response was limited to a caution. Ludwig AI confirms the phrase's usability and correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Sports

20%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Science

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "only a warning" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression to indicate that a more serious action or event was met with a mild consequence. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is appropriate for emphasizing the leniency of a response or downplaying the severity of an initial infraction. It is particularly prevalent in News & Media, Academic, and Sports contexts. While versatile, it’s important to ensure its usage aligns with the actual severity of the situation to avoid miscommunication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

just a warning

Replaces "only" with "just", emphasizing the insignificance of the consequence.

merely a warning

Substitutes "only" with "merely", highlighting the minimal impact of the warning.

simply a warning

Replaces "only" with "simply", suggesting the warning is straightforward and uncomplicated.

a mere caution

Replaces "only" with "mere", stressing how slight the warning is.

a preliminary warning

Adds "preliminary" to emphasize that the warning is an initial step.

an advance warning

Focuses on the warning as a notification given beforehand.

a forewarning

Highlights the aspect of the warning being given in anticipation of something.

a light reprimand

Shifts from a warning to a more formal term for a mild correction.

a gentle caution

Emphasizes the mildness and considerate nature of the warning.

just a slap on the wrist

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a very minor punishment.

FAQs

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

You can use "only a warning" to indicate that someone received a minor consequence for an action. For example, "He was speeding, but the police gave him "only a warning"".

What are some alternatives to "only a warning"?

Alternatives include "just a warning", "merely a warning", or "a light reprimand", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

When is it appropriate to use "only a warning"?

It's appropriate when you want to convey that an action did not result in a severe punishment or consequence, indicating that the situation was handled with leniency or that it was a first-time offense.

Is "only a warning" formal or informal language?

"Only a warning" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might call for alternatives like "a formal reprimand" or "a written admonishment".