serious warning

USAGE SUMMARY

'serious warning' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used when you want to emphasize the serious nature of an announcement or warning. For example, "This is a serious warning – anyone caught going over the speed limit will be fined!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Wells Fargo settlement is a "loud and serious warning" to other banks, he said.

The Guardian - Business

"It was a serious warning, it wasn't listened to," Hollande said.

The Guardian

East Timor took that violence as a serious warning and stepped up its training.

The New York Times

He added that the South Korean government "has issued a serious warning to North Korea".

The New York Times

"The result of the exit poll is a serious warning for the entire team in power," he said.

The Guardian

Ms. Brown said her findings should send a "very serious warning signal" to consumers, drug companies and Federal agencies.

The New York Times

After three weekends of this, the examining magistrate sent for Gabrielle and gave her a serious warning.

The New Yorker

Peers have issued a serious warning that the government's proposed "snooper's charter" law could endanger journalists and their sources.

The Guardian

Sunday's protests, in the columnist's view, represented an "extremely disturbing and serious warning sign" for Kremlin officials.

The New Yorker

Islamabad should see this as a serious warning that Washington has all but run out of patience with its double games.

The New York Times

Most students are happy to talk about their college — and if they are not, that should be a pretty serious warning sign.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "serious warning", ensure the context clearly establishes what the potential consequences are to emphasize the gravity of the warning.

Common error

Avoid using "serious warning" for trivial matters. Overuse can dilute its impact and make it seem less credible when applied to genuinely critical situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "serious warning" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object in a sentence. It emphasizes the critical nature of an alert or caution, as supported by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "serious warning" is a commonly used and grammatically correct expression that conveys a significant level of alert or caution. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile phrase found across various contexts, particularly in news and media, and science. While appropriate for formal communication, it maintains a generally neutral tone. For those seeking alternative expressions, options such as "grave caution", "stark warning", and "dire prediction" offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. When using "serious warning", it is advisable to clearly articulate the potential consequences to maximize its impact and credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grave caution

Emphasizes the weight and importance of the warning, similar to "serious warning".

stark warning

Highlights the blunt and severe nature of the warning.

dire prediction

Focuses on the negative outcome that is being warned about.

stern admonition

Implies a strong and authoritative warning.

urgent alert

Stresses the time-sensitive nature of the warning.

critical notice

Highlights the importance of the warning and the need for attention.

significant concern

Emphasizes the level of worry associated with the situation.

sobering forecast

Implies a serious and thoughtful consideration of future events.

foreboding sign

Suggests a sense of impending doom or danger.

ominous signal

Implies a dark or threatening message.

FAQs

How to use "serious warning" in a sentence?

Use "serious warning" to emphasize the importance of heeding caution about a potential danger or negative outcome. For example, "The doctor's diagnosis served as a "serious warning" to change his lifestyle".

What can I say instead of "serious warning"?

You can use alternatives like "grave caution", "stark warning", or "dire prediction" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "serious warning" in formal writing?

Yes, "serious warning" is appropriate for formal writing when conveying a critical alert or caution. However, ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of the document.

What's the difference between "serious warning" and "cautionary note"?

"Serious warning" implies a significant risk or danger if the warning is ignored, while "cautionary note" suggests a milder level of concern and the potential for negative consequences that are less severe.