you have been warned

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "You have been warned" is correct and usable in written English.
It's typically used as a warning, implying that the listener should heed the warning or else suffer consequences. For example, you could say, "You have been warned. Do not trespass on this property."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The lift-accessed jumps and drops satisfy most skill levels and include route names like Freight Train and No Joke (you have been warned).

BBC

Ramen, you have been warned.

Independent

Students out there: you have been warned.

Independent

You have been warned," the video says.

Independent

Downloaders, you have been warned.

The Guardian

Parisians, you have been warned.

The Guardian - Books

Jez, you have been warned.

The Guardian

Laurent Pelly, you have been warned.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

This may be a scary thought (you've been warned), but you hold the power of turning your dreams into a reality.

Huffington Post

You've been warned (finally).

The New York Times

Parents, you've been warned.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

If you want to indicate some humour or sarcasm when you use the expression, you may also add a face emoji.

Common error

While "you have been warned" is acceptable in many situations, it can sound too informal or even aggressive in formal writing or professional communications. Opt for more neutral language like "please be advised" or "it is important to note" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you have been warned" functions as an illocutionary act of warning, alerting an audience to potential negative consequences if they proceed without caution. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you have been warned" is a straightforward and commonly used phrase to deliver a caution about potential risks or negative outcomes. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. While highly prevalent in News & Media, you should be aware that you may need to consider other less aggressive alternatives such as "please be advised" for Formal or Academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

consider yourself cautioned

Emphasizes the act of giving a warning, focusing on the recipient's awareness.

be forewarned

Highlights the advance notice of potential danger or consequences.

let this be a warning

Functions as a declarative statement emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.

you've been given fair warning

Highlights that the warning was explicitly given, suggesting no excuse for ignorance.

mark my words

Adds a tone of certainty and insistence to the impending consequence.

take heed

A more formal and emphatic way of urging someone to pay attention to a warning.

bear in mind

Subtler and less direct, suggesting that one should remember or consider something important.

mind you

Serves as a reminder or caution, often used conversationally to add a caveat.

don't say I didn't warn you

Implies that the speaker is absolving themselves of responsibility for negative consequences.

a word to the wise

Offers a warning or advice, assuming the listener is intelligent enough to understand its importance.

FAQs

How can I use "you have been warned" in a sentence?

Use "you have been warned" to preface a statement about potential negative outcomes if someone ignores advice or information. For example, "You have been warned: this software may contain viruses."

What's a more formal alternative to "you have been warned"?

Consider using phrases like "please be advised", "it is important to note", or "be aware that" for a more professional tone.

Is "you have been warned" suitable for academic writing?

Generally, no. Academic writing requires a more formal and objective tone. Replace it with phrases like "it should be noted" or "this study indicates" to maintain a scholarly voice.

What is the connotation of the phrase "you have been warned"?

The phrase "you have been warned" carries a strong connotation of impending negative consequences if the advice is not followed. It can range from serious to playful, depending on the context, but always implies a risk.