raise alarm

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "raise alarm" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone should alert others about a potential danger or issue. Example: "The sudden increase in suspicious activity in the area prompted the residents to raise alarm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Russian drills raise alarm.

The New York Times

Lowering those ratios does raise alarm bells.

The Guardian

That in itself should raise alarm bells.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nobel Prize winners raise alarm over genetic engineering of humans.

MIT Technology Review

The 40-year prediction horizon should always raise alarm bells.

MIT Technology Review

NY Times (Sept 26 , 2017 As Google Fights Fake News, Voices on the Margins Raise Alarm.

Stanford University

Police surrounded building for 30min before evacuation alarm - Y so long to raise alarm??

Independent

What will really raise alarm in Democratic circles isn't the headline numbers, though.

The New Yorker

In Washington on Wednesday, Mr. Rohrabacher said in an interview that Mr. Karzai's behavior "should raise alarm bells for everybody".

The New York Times

I've seen many examples of students being sent work bad enough to raise alarm bells with any academic.

The Guardian

The van didn't raise alarm, police said, because its dashboard displayed a sign for a police fraternal organization, the Detectives Crime Clinic of New Jersey and New York.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "raise alarm" to clearly and directly communicate the need for attention to a potentially dangerous or problematic situation. It is suitable when urgency and action are required.

Common error

Avoid using "raise alarm" in situations that are not genuinely serious or urgent. Overusing it can dilute its impact and make people less responsive when a real crisis occurs.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "raise alarm" primarily functions as a verb phrase. It signifies the action of alerting others to a potential danger or problem. Ludwig AI examples show it used to indicate that someone or something should or did cause concern.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

69%

Academia

13%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Science

7%

Wiki

3%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "raise alarm" is a grammatically correct and frequently used verb phrase that serves to alert others about potential dangers or problems. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability across various contexts. It's most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and formal business communications. While effective in conveying urgency, it's important to avoid overuse in non-critical situations to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "sound the alarm" and "express concern" can be used depending on the specific context. The phrase is generally neutral in tone and aims to prompt action or increased vigilance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sound the alarm

Emphasizes the act of immediately alerting people to danger.

ring alarm bells

Similar to "raise alarm", but uses a more idiomatic expression.

signal a warning

Stresses the act of providing a sign of impending danger.

trigger an alert

Focuses on initiating a state of readiness or warning.

issue a red flag

Implies a critical warning that needs immediate attention.

express concern

Highlights the communication of worry or unease.

voice apprehension

Formally expresses feelings of worry or fear about something.

create awareness

Focuses on making people conscious of a particular issue.

draw attention to

Focuses on making something noticeable or significant.

generate anxiety

Highlights the creation of worry or nervousness about a situation.

FAQs

What does it mean to "raise alarm"?

To "raise alarm" means to alert or warn people about a potential danger or problem, often prompting action or increased vigilance.

How can I use "raise alarm" in a sentence?

You can use "raise alarm" in a sentence like, "The sudden increase in fraudulent activity prompted the bank to "raise alarm" among its customers."

What can I say instead of "raise alarm"?

You can use alternatives like "sound the alarm", "issue a warning", or "express concern" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "raise alarm"?

It's appropriate to use "raise alarm" when there is a genuine need to alert others to a potential danger, risk, or serious problem that requires attention and action.