warned us that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'warned us that' is correct and can be used in written English.
This phrase is used to indicate someone has cautioned someone else about something. For example: "My mother warned us that we should be careful around the lake at night."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

" Unicef has warned us that we must not use bulldozers inside Durbar Square, of course we are not doing that.

Independent

Mr. Cochran warned us that cows understand only bad language.

The New York Times - Travel

"They warned us that people who are claustrophobic may have problems," Peters recalled later.

Princeton University

But she also warned us that chickens will eat anything in sight.

The New York Times - Magazine

The Aussies have warned us that 15 minutes in the Australian sun and you will burn.

The New York Times

They warned us that the trail ahead was steep and rocky.

The New York Times - Travel

Our dentist warned us that cysts and tumors could grow around impacted wisdom teeth.

The New York Times - Health

Having said that, a stress test wouldn't really have warned us that that person is at risk.

Cornell University

Earlier this month, Axel Scheffler warned us that the Gruffalo couldn't have existed without the EU.

The Guardian - Books

Yet the government has warned us that our grants are in danger.

The New York Times

But several people warned us that the plan was too ambitious.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "warned us that", consider the formality of the context. In more formal settings, "advised us that" or "cautioned us that" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "warned us that" in casual conversations where a simple heads-up is sufficient. Alternatives like "told us" or "let us know" can sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warned us that" functions as a reporting verb introducing a clause that conveys a caution or advisory. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. Examples show it preceding explanations of potential dangers or negative consequences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "warned us that" is a widely used phrase that serves to introduce a cautionary statement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and frequently found in contexts where potential risks or negative outcomes need to be highlighted. The phrase is primarily utilized in "News & Media", "Academia", and "Science". While it's a versatile expression, it's important to consider the tone and formality of the context, opting for alternatives like "advised us that" or "cautioned us that" in more formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cautioned us that

Maintains the sense of potential risk, similar to "warned", but can sometimes imply a lighter level of danger.

advised us that

Replaces "warned" with a less forceful term, focusing on guidance rather than potential danger.

alerted us to the fact that

Highlights the act of bringing something to attention, often implying a need for vigilance.

made us aware that

Emphasizes the act of making someone conscious of something.

notified us that

Shifts the focus to the act of informing, without necessarily implying danger or negative consequences.

informed us that

A neutral alternative, focusing on the transmission of information.

let us know that

A more informal alternative, simply indicating that information was conveyed.

apprised us of the fact that

A more formal way of saying "informed us", often used in legal or official contexts.

foretold us that

Adds a sense of prediction or prophecy to the warning.

reminded us that

Indicates that the information was previously known but needed reiteration.

FAQs

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

You can use "warned us that" to introduce a cautionary statement. For example, "The guide "warned us that" the trail was steep and rocky".

What's a more formal alternative to "warned us that"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "advised us that" or "cautioned us that", which maintain a serious tone without sounding overly alarming.

Is there a difference between "warned us that" and "informed us that"?

"Warned us that" implies a potential danger or negative outcome, while "informed us that" simply means providing information without any implicit risk.

When is it appropriate to use "warned us that"?

It's appropriate to use "warned us that" when you want to emphasize a caution against a potential danger or negative outcome. For example, "The doctor "warned us that" the medication had side effects".