received a warning

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "received a warning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone being formally notified about a potential issue or consequence, often in a disciplinary context. Example: "After several late submissions, the student received a warning from the professor regarding their attendance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

An A.I.G. executive received a warning.

The New York Times

The Pirates have now received a warning.

The New York Times - Sports

Records show he received a warning and nothing more.

The New York Times

The Heat's Udonis Haslem received a warning the week before.

The New York Times

Immediately Australia had received a warning of his potential.

The Guardian - Sport

Approximately half received a case management intervention, while the other half received a warning letter, only.

Children and Youth Services Review

"Would I have been happier to have received a warning text?

The New York Times

Last year, a 56-year-old Paralympic archer received a warning for a doping rules violation.

The New York Times - Sports

Evans has already received a warning, so his next offense will trigger a $5,000 fine.

The New York Times - Sports

In early October, even Kuwait received a warning from the International Monetary Fund.

The New York Times

Durham Police said the students have received a warning for their behaviour.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "received a warning", ensure the context clearly indicates who issued the warning and the reason for it. This adds clarity and avoids ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "received a warning" when a more severe consequence occurred, such as a fine or suspension. A warning is a preliminary action, not the ultimate penalty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "received a warning" functions as a predicate in a sentence, indicating that a subject has been given a formal notification of a potential problem or consequence. As Ludwig AI confirms, this is a common and correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "received a warning" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that someone has been formally notified of a potential problem or consequence. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It appears most frequently in news and media, but also in scientific and business contexts, with a neutral to professional tone. Related phrases include "was given a warning" and "got a warning", which offer slight variations in formality. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies who issued the warning and why, and avoid using it when a more severe consequence has occurred.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was given a warning

Replaces the verb "received" with "was given", maintaining the same passive voice and meaning.

was issued a warning

Replaces "received" with "was issued", implying a more formal or official issuance of the warning.

got a warning

Uses the more informal verb "got" instead of "received", making it slightly less formal.

had a warning issued

Emphasizes the action of issuing the warning, rather than the act of receiving it.

was cautioned

Uses the verb "cautioned" as a synonym for "warned", focusing on the act of advising someone to be careful.

was alerted to

Indicates that someone was made aware of a potential danger or problem.

was notified

Suggests a formal communication of information, often about a problem or issue.

was reprimanded

Implies a formal rebuke or scolding, often for a specific action or behavior.

was advised

Indicates that someone was given guidance or counsel, which may or may not be related to a negative consequence.

was flagged

Suggests that someone or something was marked for attention, often due to a potential problem.

FAQs

What does it mean to receive a warning?

To "receive a warning" means to be formally notified about a potential issue, violation, or consequence, often as a first step before more serious actions are taken.

What can I say instead of "received a warning"?

You can use alternatives like "was given a warning", "got a warning", or "was issued a warning" depending on the context and formality you want to convey.

In what situations is it appropriate to say someone "received a warning"?

It's appropriate when someone has been officially notified about a minor infraction, policy violation, or potential problem, signaling that future similar actions may lead to more significant penalties. For example, a sports player might receive a warning before a fine.

What is the difference between "received a warning" and "received a reprimand"?

"Received a warning" usually indicates a milder form of censure for a first-time or minor offense, while "received a reprimand" suggests a more formal and serious rebuke, often for repeated or significant misconduct.