severe warning

USAGE SUMMARY

"severe warning" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when indicating a serious or urgent caution about a potential danger or risk. For example: "The weather service issued a severe warning for the approaching storm." Alternative expressions include "serious warning" and "strong warning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

The highest-ranking official implicated in the scandal, he received a severe warning.

The New York Times - Sports

The Investment Association issued a red-top alert, its most severe warning, ahead of the meeting.

The Guardian - Business

The Met Office's latest severe warning covers a period from noon on Wednesday to 9am on Thursday.

The Guardian

It also cautioned against travel to Morocco and Tunisia, but that warning was less urgent than the "severe" warning.

The New York Times

By 9 50 a.m., the university issued a more severe warning by e-mail, phone and loudspeaker.

The New York Times

His entry comes two years after he received a "most severe warning" after an internal I.O.C. inquiry into the Salt Lake City bid scandal.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

30 human-written examples

Mild language and severe warnings.

The New York Times

FloodAlerts (@FloodAlerts) 17 SEVERE Warnings on the FloodAlerts Map, with another storm imminent.

The Guardian

Severe warnings were also issued for parts of Victoria and Tasmania.

The Guardian

You don't know if you've got someone who is psychiatrically ill with severe warnings for self-harm.

The Guardian

But despite increasingly severe warnings from scientists and a major economic recession, global emissions have continued to soar unchecked.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "severe warning", ensure the context clearly indicates the potential danger or negative consequence. For instance, specify what the warning is about and who it is intended for. Use the phrase to emphasize the importance of heeding the advice given.

Common error

Avoid using "severe warning" for trivial or minor issues. This phrase is best reserved for situations involving significant risk or consequence. Overusing it can dilute its impact and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "severe warning" functions as a noun phrase typically used to describe an alert or caution that is of critical importance. It signifies that the matter at hand is serious and demands immediate attention. Ludwig confirms the correctness and usability of the phrase in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "severe warning" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase that conveys a critical alert about potential dangers or negative consequences. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is usable and correct in various contexts. It is frequently found in news reports and official statements, signaling the urgency and seriousness of the situation. When employing this phrase, ensure that the context clearly indicates the specific threat or risk. While "severe warning" is typically neutral in register, avoid overusing it in trivial situations to maintain its impact and credibility. Alternatives such as "stern caution" or "grave alert" can be used depending on the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stern caution

Replaces "warning" with "caution" and "severe" with "stern", emphasizing a strong and serious note of concern.

grave alert

Substitutes "warning" with "alert" and "severe" with "grave", highlighting the seriousness and potential danger.

serious caution

Replaces "warning" with "caution" and "severe" with "serious", focusing on the weightiness of the concern.

strong caution

Replaces "warning" with "caution" and "severe" with "strong", indicating a firm and forceful alert.

forceful warning

Replaces "severe" with "forceful", emphasizing the intensity and impact of the warning.

stark warning

Uses "stark" instead of "severe" to convey a blunt and unavoidable warning.

dire warning

Replaces "severe" with "dire", suggesting a warning of extremely serious or terrible consequences.

urgent alert

Replaces "warning" with "alert" and "severe" with "urgent", highlighting the need for immediate attention.

strict caution

Emphasizes a stringent and uncompromising nature of the warning.

critical alert

Indicates that the warning is of utmost importance and requires immediate action.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "severe warning" in a sentence?

To effectively use "severe warning", clearly state the potential danger or consequence that the warning addresses. For instance, "The health organization issued a "severe warning" about the risks of consuming contaminated food."

What are some alternatives to "severe warning" that I can use?

You can use alternatives such as "stern caution", "grave alert", or "serious caution" depending on the specific context and level of formality.

Is there a difference between a "severe warning" and a "strong warning"?

While both convey a sense of urgency and importance, a ""severe warning"" often implies a greater potential danger or more serious consequences than a "strong warning".

In what situations is it most appropriate to issue a "severe warning"?

A ""severe warning"" is most appropriate when there is an imminent threat or potential for significant harm, such as in cases of natural disasters, health crises, or security breaches.