was not alerted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was not alerted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone did not receive a notification or warning about something. Example: "Despite the ongoing situation, he was not alerted to the potential dangers nearby."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

The public was not alerted that he had been freed for about 24 hours.

The New York Times

Others said Mr. Sweeney, one of the vice president's most consistent allies, had been left fuming because he was not alerted in advance.

The New York Times

Parents who attended the meeting on Monday said that they left without a satisfactory explanation as to why P.S. 87's former principal was not alerted to the inquiry.

The New York Times

Mr. Shen declined to comment on why the announcement was delayed so long and why the public was not alerted to the dangers of Shanghai Panda milk last year, before or shortly after the company was shut down.

The New York Times

This sensational allegation was from a single anonymous source, and the BBC failed to put it squarely to government before broadcasting it: the reporter spoke to a press officer at the Ministry of Defence who says she was told only in passing that there would be a story about WMD next day but was not alerted to its significance.

The Economist

The Public Roads Authority in Oslo, which has a comprehensive network of cameras, was not alerted either: despite the fact that the government quarter, Norway's most important seat of power, had been blown to smithereens by a bomb, the terror-response plan was not implemented.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

When the news station contacted the Walmart, a spokesperson said store policy doesn't prohibit the word "gay," and management wasn't alerted when Sandoval made the request.

Huffington Post

However, Manchester United said that GMP acted independently and were not alerted by the club to the fanzine's existence.

The Guardian - Sport

"The probe raises the suspicion that Facebook is creating user tracking profiles," which would be unlawful if users were not alerted.

The New York Times - Tech

Passengers were not alerted during discussions with air traffic controllers at the Auckland Oceanic control centre, as the plane Tasman Sea before turning north.

Independent

In such an event, if security officers near the entrances are not alerted immediately, someone could leave the hospital with a baby without being caught, the official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "was not alerted", ensure the context clearly specifies who should have provided the alert and what the alert should have concerned.

Common error

Avoid using "was not alerted" in sentences where it's unclear who was supposed to provide the alert. Specify the responsible party to maintain clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was not alerted" functions as a passive construction, indicating that the subject did not receive a notification or warning. This emphasizes the lack of action taken by an external party to inform the subject.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was not alerted" is a grammatically sound passive construction used to express a lack of notification or warning. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English. While "was not alerted" is appropriate, it's crucial to ensure clarity regarding who should have provided the alert. Common alternatives include "was not notified" and "was not informed". Usage leans towards news and science contexts. Remember to be specific about who should have done the alerting to avoid ambiguity. The frequency is uncommon, suggesting it's not the most prevalent phrase, but is valid and understandable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was not notified

Indicates a lack of formal notification.

was not informed

Highlights a lack of information provided.

had no warning

Highlights the absence of a prior warning.

did not receive notice

Emphasizes the absence of a formal notice.

was not made aware

Emphasizes the act of making someone conscious of something.

remained unaware

Focuses on the state of being without knowledge.

was not apprised

Formal synonym for "was not informed".

was kept in the dark

Suggests a deliberate withholding of information.

was not tipped off

Suggests a lack of secret or informal warning.

did not get wind of

Informal way of saying someone didn't hear about something.

FAQs

What does "was not alerted" mean?

The phrase "was not alerted" means that someone did not receive a warning or notification about something. It implies a failure in communication or a lack of awareness.

What can I say instead of "was not alerted"?

You can use alternatives like "was not notified", "was not informed", or "did not receive notice" depending on the specific context.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when saying someone didn't receive a notification?

While "was not alerted" is grammatically correct in passive voice, using active voice such as "they did not alert him" can sometimes make the sentence more direct and clearer.

What's the difference between "was not alerted" and "was not informed"?

"Was not alerted" implies a lack of warning about a potential danger or problem, while "was not informed" simply means someone didn't receive information, regardless of whether it was a warning or not.