was alerted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was alerted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received a notification or warning about something. Example: "The security team was alerted to the potential breach in the system."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The White House situation room was alerted.

The New York Times

Then Dr. Sharma was alerted to a blog post.

The New York Times - Science

I was alerted to this in your newspaper.

Independent

The Mayor said he was "alerted to the problem" Tuesday.

The New York Times

The F.B.I. was alerted, and began a yearlong surveillance.

The New York Times

I was alerted to Simon's case in July this year.

The Guardian - Opinion

The group was alerted to the fire by an alarm.

The New York Times

President Chandrika Kumaratunga was alerted to the complaints.

The New York Times

The local radio station was alerted and broadcast a description.

The New Yorker

The Guinean militia was alerted to a perceived threat from Portuguese Guinea.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Aberdeen Coastguard was alerted to the incident by somebody on the shore.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was alerted" when you want to indicate that someone received a notification or warning, often implying a need for action or awareness.

Common error

Avoid using "was alert" instead of "was alerted" when you mean someone received a notification. "Was alert" means someone was vigilant or watchful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was alerted" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject received a notification or warning. As Ludwig AI shows, it's used to convey that someone's attention was drawn to a particular situation or piece of information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

84%

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Academia

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was alerted" is a grammatically correct and frequently used passive construction that signifies someone received a notification or warning. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts, primarily in news and media. Alternatives like "was notified" or "was informed" can be used interchangeably depending on the desired nuance. Remember to use "was alerted to" rather than "was alerted of" for grammatical correctness. Avoiding the tense mistake of using "was alert" (vigilant or watchful) instead of "was alerted" will enhance clarity in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was notified

Indicates a formal communication of information.

was informed

Implies the reception of factual data or news.

was made aware

Focuses on the act of bringing something to someone's attention.

received a warning

Highlights the cautionary aspect of the information received.

was apprised

A more formal way of saying someone was informed.

was forewarned

Implies advance knowledge of an impending event.

was cautioned

Emphasizes the advice given to avoid danger or mistakes.

was given notice

Highlights the official or formal nature of the alert.

was tipped off

Suggests receiving confidential or secret information.

was signaled

Suggests a non-verbal or indirect form of alerting.

FAQs

How can I use "was alerted" in a sentence?

Use "was alerted" to indicate that someone received a notification or warning about something. For example, "The police "was alerted" to the robbery".

What's the difference between "was alerted" and "was warned"?

"Was alerted" generally means someone received a notification, while "was warned" implies a caution against potential danger or negative consequences. They are similar but not always interchangeable.

What can I say instead of "was alerted"?

You can use alternatives like "was notified", "was informed", or "received a warning" depending on the context.

Is "was alerted of" grammatically correct?

While understandable, it's more common and grammatically sound to say "was alerted to" rather than "was alerted of". For example, "He "was alerted to" the problem" is preferred.