warned me that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "warned me that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when someone is giving you a caution or alert about a potential issue or danger. Example: "She warned me that the road ahead was closed due to construction."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"You just warned me that I could lose money".

The New Yorker

Someone had warned me that swinging is a gut check.

The New York Times - Magazine

She warned me that this thing takes time.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He warned me that the treatment would be devastating".

The New York Times

Not just for a novice, either: Mirabelli warned me that the corkscrew "kind of hypnotizes you".

The New Yorker

She warned me that she would need a few seconds to figure out its precise ingredients.

The New Yorker

The American divers had warned me that the graves may not actually be those of pirates.

The New York Times - Travel

Regina Spektor had warned me that she wouldn't let me hear her sing.

The New York Times - Magazine

Nobody warned me that I would need anything more than a driver's licence to board.

The Economist

I hung it away until a friend warned me that mink sheds in the summer heat.

The New York Times

Marclay warned me that, for a while, I'd notice clocks with distressing frequency.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "warned me that", ensure the warning is followed by a clear explanation of the potential negative consequence or danger. This provides context and reinforces the importance of the warning.

Common error

Avoid simply stating someone "warned me" without specifying what the warning entailed. Always include the 'that' clause to convey the specific information that was relayed. For instance, instead of saying 'He warned me', say 'He "warned me that" the bridge was out'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warned me that" functions as a reporting verb construction, introducing a subordinate clause that conveys the content of the warning. It indicates that someone issued a caution or alert about a potential danger or negative outcome. Ludwig provides numerous examples demonstrating this function.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "warned me that" is a grammatically sound and highly prevalent construction used to introduce a cautionary statement. Ludwig confirms its correctness and showcases its diverse usage, primarily within news and media contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying the exact warning and potential consequences. Alternatives like "cautioned me that" or "advised me that" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. Remember to specify the content of the warning to avoid ambiguity and to enhance the phrase's effectiveness in conveying important information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cautioned me that

Emphasizes the act of giving careful advice or instruction about potential dangers or problems.

advised me that

Highlights the provision of counsel or recommendations, focusing on guidance rather than imminent threat.

alerted me that

Stresses the act of promptly notifying someone of a danger or problem.

notified me that

Implies a formal or official communication of information, often without the urgency of a warning.

informed me that

Focuses on providing factual information, potentially without any implied risk or negative consequence.

foretold me that

Suggests the prediction of a future event, often with a sense of inevitability or destiny.

predicted that

Highlights that a prediction was made, rather than direct communication to someone.

let me know that

Implies a simple transmission of information, lacking the sense of potential danger conveyed by "warned".

made me aware that

Highlights bringing something to someone's attention without necessarily implying a negative consequence.

intimated to me that

Suggests conveying information subtly or indirectly, without an explicit warning.

FAQs

How can I use "warned me that" in a sentence?

Use "warned me that" to introduce a piece of information that serves as a caution about a potential danger or negative outcome. For instance, "She "warned me that" the road was icy".

What are some alternatives to "warned me that"?

You can use alternatives like "cautioned me that", "advised me that", or "alerted me that", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "warned me of" instead of "warned me that"?

While "warned me of" is grammatically correct, it typically requires a noun phrase rather than a full clause. For example, "He warned me of the danger". "Warned me that" introduces a clause, like "He "warned me that" the path was dangerous."

What's the difference between "warned me that" and "informed me that"?

"Warned me that" implies a potential negative consequence or danger, while "informed me that" simply means someone provided information without any implication of risk. Use "warned me that" when the information serves as a caution.