warning voice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "warning voice" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a voice that serves as a caution or alert about something potentially harmful or dangerous. Example: "As I walked through the dark alley, a warning voice in my head urged me to turn back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

He is a warning voice against spiritual enfeeblement, in the apocalyptic vein of D. H. Lawrence.

The New Yorker

And yet Oakeshott's modesty can never be the main strain in one's thinking, though it should always be the warning voice in the back of your mind.

The New York Times - Books

The novelist Nathan Zuckerman haunts his old city like a revenant, and is haunted by ghosts of the past — the ghostly warning voice of his onetime inspiration, the writer E. I. Lonoff; the haunting figure of Amy Bellette, the consort of Lonoff's last years, once strange and beautiful and young, now old and sick and poor.

The New Yorker

The novelist Nathan Zuckerman haunts his old city like a revenant, and is haunted by ghosts of the past - the ghostly warning voice of his one-time inspiration, the writer EI Lonoff; the haunting figure of Amy Bellette, the consort of Lonoff's last years, once strange and beautiful and young, now old and sick and poor.

The Guardian - Books

Through it all, his mind would rise and a phone call would arrive, and one would race downtown to spend time with him; he would read page after page of whatever he was working on, reciting, in his gruff, warning voice, some masterly combo of verdict, examination, evocation, summary — and then, being Bob, look up, anxious as a schoolboy, and say, "But do you think it's any good?

The New Yorker

But a week or so before it, she said something to me, the university girlfriend, in a low and warning voice: "He… my dad thinks handshakes are important".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

43 human-written examples

Loud warning voices sounded.

The New York Times

We seem to be sleepwalking into this potential disaster heedless of the warning voices off-stage, too quiet and too late.

The Guardian

Right from the start of the Leveson inquiry, warning voices cautioned that the rest of the world would be watching; governments with a less than benign view of freedom of speech could use it as an excuse to crack down on their press and silence awkward questions.

The Guardian

The "you have to understand" choir is much louder than the few warning voices.

The Guardian

It alternately glamorizes and condemns the drug pusher and his lifestyle, ending with a stern warning voiced by Mexican-American rapper Krazy Dee: "You sold crack to my sister and now she's sick / But if she happens to die because of your drug / I'm putting in your culo a.38 slug".

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing an internal feeling or intuition, consider using "inner 'warning voice'" to emphasize the source of the caution.

Common error

Avoid using "warning voice" when you actually mean "warning sign". A "warning sign" is a visual cue, while a "warning voice" is an auditory or internal cautionary signal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "warning voice" primarily functions as a noun phrase, where the adjective "warning" modifies the noun "voice". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It describes a voice—literal or figurative—that conveys a caution or alert.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Wiki

19%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "warning voice" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase that serves to denote a literal or figurative voice expressing caution. As verified by Ludwig AI, it is commonly employed in News & Media, Wiki and Science. While generally neutral in tone, context can influence the perceived formality. Common usage involves either an actual sound or an internal sense, making "warning voice" a versatile means to communicate impending risk or advise caution. Alternatives such as "cautionary tone" or "voice of caution" may provide nuance depending on the specific situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

forewarning voice

Emphasizes the act of warning beforehand.

voice of caution

Reverses the structure while maintaining the core meaning, emphasizing the source of the warning.

inner voice of warning

Specifies the warning is coming from within oneself, an intuition.

voice of alarm

Conveys a sense of urgency and heightened concern.

cautionary tone

Focuses on the manner of speaking rather than the explicit presence of a "voice".

alerting tone

Similar to "cautionary tone", emphasizing the alerting aspect but still relating to the manner of speaking.

voice giving a warning

Breaks down the phrase to its components, adding a slightly more descriptive but less concise feel.

premonitory voice

Adds a sense of foreboding or prediction to the warning.

admonishing voice

Implies a gentle or earnest correction, rather than an outright warning.

red flag

Is a phrase that represents something that is alarming and needs attention.

FAQs

How can I describe a voice that cautions against danger?

You can use the phrase "warning voice". It implies a voice, whether literal or internal, that alerts you to potential risks or negative consequences. For example, "I heard a 'warning voice' in my head telling me to be careful."

What are some alternatives to "warning voice"?

Alternatives include "cautionary tone", "voice of caution", or "inner voice of warning". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "warning voice" in a sentence?

Yes, "warning voice" is grammatically correct. It functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "warning" modifies "voice" to indicate its purpose or quality.

When should I use "inner 'warning voice'" instead of just "warning voice"?

Use "inner 'warning voice'" when referring to a feeling, intuition, or internal sense of caution. This clarifies that the warning is coming from within yourself, rather than an external source. If the origin is external, just use "warning voice".