was warned that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was warned that" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when indicating that someone received a caution or notification about something that may happen or is expected to happen. Example: "He was warned that the storm could cause significant damage to the area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was warned that it would be uncomfortable.

The New Yorker

Earhart was warned that she would run out of fuel.

The New Yorker

I was warned that she is "a very private person".

The Guardian - Books

She was warned that she might feel faint.

The New York Times

I was warned that my interest in trying to understand the suicide missions was dangerous.

The New Yorker

(I was warned that the Sichuan chicken was spicy hot; it wasn't).

The New York Times

She was warned that she was responsible for her expensive costume.

The New York Times - Magazine

"When I came here, I was warned that this was an institution steeped in tradition.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I was warned that I would be removed one way or another".

The New York Times

The committee was warned that the campaign by the Bush administration discouraged free academic inquiry.

The Guardian

"I was warned that this would happen, and I didn't believe it.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "was warned that" by varying your sentence structure. Instead of always placing it at the beginning, consider using alternatives like "they received a warning that" or restructuring the sentence entirely.

Common error

Avoid stating "was warned that" without clarifying what the warning pertained to. For example, instead of "He was warned that", specify "He was warned that the bridge was unstable due to recent flooding".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was warned that" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating that someone received a cautionary message or notification about a potential outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Wiki

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "was warned that" is a prevalent and grammatically sound construction used to indicate that someone received a caution or notification about a potential future event or consequence. As verified by Ludwig AI, it enjoys widespread usage across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; ensuring the source of the warning and its potential consequences are clearly articulated. While "was warned that" is generally considered neutral in tone, alternative phrases such as "was cautioned that" or "was advised that" can be used to subtly shift the emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

received a warning that

Replaces "was warned" with a more formal synonym, emphasizing the reception of the warning.

was cautioned that

Uses "cautioned" instead of "warned", implying a milder degree of potential danger or negative consequence.

was advised that

Substitutes "warned" with "advised", suggesting guidance or recommendation rather than a strict warning.

was alerted to the fact that

More formal and emphasizes the information being conveyed as a fact.

was notified that

Indicates a formal notification of something, without necessarily implying danger.

was informed that

Similar to 'notified' but can be less formal, simply meaning to be told something.

had been told that

A more direct and less formal way of saying someone received information.

it was brought to their attention that

A more roundabout and often formal way of indicating that someone was made aware of something.

they were given to understand that

Suggests a subtler form of warning or implication, rather than a direct statement.

was apprised of the fact that

A very formal alternative, suggesting detailed information was provided.

FAQs

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

Use "was warned that" to indicate that someone received a caution about a potential negative outcome. For example, "She "was warned that" the path was slippery".

What can I say instead of "was warned that"?

You can use alternatives like "was cautioned that", "was advised that", or "was notified that" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "was warned that"?

No, it's not inherently redundant. "Was warned" implies a caution about a potential danger or negative consequence, and the "that" introduces the specific content of the warning.

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

"Was warned that" implies a potential negative consequence or danger, while "was informed that" simply means that someone was given information without necessarily implying any risk.