warn against

USAGE SUMMARY

"warn against" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you wish to advise someone not to do something. For example: "The doctor warned against eating too much sugar."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Signs warn against trespassing.

The New York Times

Some in Brazil warn against such triumphalism.

The New York Times

Consumer groups also warn against gift cards.

The New York Times

Spielberg tried to warn against that.

The New York Times

Others warn against too muscular a response.

The New York Times

Experts warn against that approach.

The New York Times - Tech

Therefore, monitoring can warn against premature ICU discharge.

Supplements to Clinical Neurophysiology

Some experts warn against even trying.

The Guardian

But scholars warn against oversimplifying this transition.

The New York Times

Experts warn against bans on 3D printing.

Nature

Some warn against risks to "quality" publishing instead.

Harvard University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "warn against" when you want to strongly advise someone not to do something because it could have negative consequences. For example, "Experts warn against investing all your savings in a single stock."

Common error

While "warn against" is generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "advise against" or "caution against" in highly formal or academic writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warn against" functions as a verb phrase used to express a strong recommendation or advice not to do something. It signifies a potential risk or negative consequence associated with a particular action, as Ludwig AI confirms.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

49%

Science

24%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "warn against" is a versatile and frequently used phrase that advises against a particular action due to potential risks or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely applicable. Predominantly found in News & Media and Scientific sources, it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts. For situations demanding a more formal tone, alternatives such as "advise against" or "caution against" may be more appropriate. The phrase is generally used to deter or dissuade, emphasizing the importance of considering potential negative outcomes before taking action.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

advise against

Emphasizes giving advice or counsel not to do something.

caution against

Highlights the potential dangers or negative consequences of an action.

discourage from

Focuses on dissuading someone from a particular course of action.

dissuade from

Implies a more persuasive effort to prevent someone from doing something.

remonstrate against

Suggests a formal or forceful objection to something.

admonish against

Implies a gentle or friendly reproof or warning.

alert to the dangers of

Specifically highlights dangers or risks to be aware of.

raise concerns about

Focuses on expressing worry or apprehension about a potential issue.

urge to reconsider

Suggests prompting someone to rethink their decision.

counsel to avoid

Offers guidance on how to prevent something from happening.

FAQs

How is "warn against" used in a sentence?

The phrase "warn against" is used to advise someone not to do something, typically because of potential risks or negative consequences. For example: "Doctors warn against smoking."

What are some alternatives to "warn against"?

You can use alternatives like "advise against", "caution against", or "discourage from" depending on the context.

Is it better to "warn against" or "advise against"?

Both "warn against" and "advise against" are correct, but "warn against" often implies a stronger sense of potential danger or negative outcome. "Advise against" is a bit more formal and generic.

When should I use "caution against" instead of "warn against"?

Use "caution against" when you want to emphasize the need for care and vigilance to avoid potential problems. "Warn against" is a bit stronger and suggests a higher likelihood of negative outcomes.