to warn you of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to warn you of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to inform someone about a potential danger or issue that they should be aware of. Example: "I need to warn you of the upcoming storm that may affect your travel plans."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

19 human-written examples

Many will be eager to sell you on the area in which they are already invested and to warn you of problems.

The New York Times - Travel

A few hours after the meeting, a purported spokesman for Saddam warned Talabani not to side with the Americans, declaring, "I am bound by principle, morality, and the constitution to warn you of the danger of this game").

The New Yorker

Stacks is my attempt to make these secret pleasures public, and to warn you of looming releases, just in case your time on the Internet has left you hungry for extra fresh information about extra new content.

The New Yorker

But listening, really listening, is hard when potential distractions are leaping into your ears every fifty-thousandth of a second — and pathways in your brain are just waiting to interrupt your focus to warn you of any potential dangers.

The New York Times

A 1991 study by the International Association of Assessing Officers, a trade group for assessors, said that the 2,500 to 5,000 range "is a benchmark designed to warn you of the possibility of a key staff shortage".

The New York Times

Indeed, they might have gone awol for months on end, but then Aunt Flo can come a-calling without so much as a flowery notelet to warn you of her impending visit.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

Ms. Borkowsky recalled that her mother advised: "I just wanted to warn you to be very wary of releasing it on any record company that wants to put it out on eight-track.

The New York Times - Arts

"I tried to warn you ahead of time," Cohen's wife, Isla Fisher, said to Wilde backstage.

Los Angeles Times

"I want to warn you," Mark Lebow, chairman of the authority's transit and bus committee, said at a public meeting at the agency's Midtown Manhattan headquarters.

The New York Times

If you ever end up making a superhero movie then, let me be the first to warn you: expect clips of almost every scene to leak onto the internet years beforehand.

Independent

There is a literal coma-like result that happens after a show which the body so graciously forgets to warn you about ahead of time.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "to warn you of" when you want to directly address someone and alert them to a specific danger, problem, or situation. It's effective for conveying important, potentially negative information.

Common error

Avoid using "to warn you of" in unnecessarily passive constructions. Instead of saying "It is important to warn you of the risks," a more direct approach would be "I need "to warn you of" the risks" or "You should be warned of the risks".

Linguistic Context

To warn you of functions as an infinitive phrase, typically introducing a statement intended to alert someone about a potential danger, problem, or important piece of information. Ludwig examples demonstrate its use in various contexts, from impending releases to potential dangers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to warn you of" is a versatile phrase used to alert someone about a potential danger or issue. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various platforms. While alternatives like "to caution you about" or "to alert you to" exist, this phrase is suitable for most situations where a direct warning is necessary. Remember to avoid passive constructions and ensure clarity by specifying what you are warning someone about. Its neutral tone makes it appropriate for both professional and informal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to caution you about

Emphasizes providing advice to avoid risks or negative outcomes.

to alert you to

Highlights the act of making someone aware of something specific and potentially urgent.

to forewarn you about

Specifically means to warn someone in advance.

to advise you regarding

Suggests offering formal or professional guidance.

to notify you concerning

Implies an official or formal communication of information.

to make you aware of

Focuses on the act of informing someone about a particular situation.

to flag for you

Indicates bringing something to someone's attention, often a potential problem.

to give you notice of

Formal and indicates an official warning or announcement.

to apprise you of

A more formal way of saying to inform someone, typically used in professional settings.

to tip you off about

Suggests providing a discreet or informal warning.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "to warn you of"?

You can use alternatives like "to caution you about", "to alert you to", or "to advise you regarding" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "to warn you for" instead of "to warn you of"?

No, the correct preposition to use after "warn" in this context is "of". "To warn you for" is grammatically incorrect. Always use "to warn you of" when indicating what you are warning someone about.

How formal is the phrase "to warn you of"?

The phrase "to warn you of" is generally considered neutral in formality. It can be used in both professional and informal contexts, although more formal alternatives like "to apprise you of" exist for highly formal situations.

When should I use "to warn you of" instead of just "to warn you"?

Use "to warn you of" when you want to specify what you are warning someone about. If the context is clear and the object of the warning is understood, "to warn you" might suffice. However, including "of" provides clarity and avoids ambiguity.