What is warning? Pronunciation and usage in English

warning means . Learn how to pronounce and use warning through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of warning

warningnoun

/ˈwɔːnɪŋ/
Definition & pronunciation of warning

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "warning." It can be tricky for some! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and accepted pronunciation is:

  • ˈwɜːrnɪŋ (British English)

    • ˈwɜː - This part is key. It sounds like "wur" (as in "hurt") followed by a short "uh" sound, similar to the beginning of the word "butter".
    • -rnɪ- - This part is like "rin" (as in "tin") but with a shorter 'i' sound. It's a quick, connected sound.
    • -ŋ - This is the "ng" sound, like in "sing" or "long".

  • ˈwʌrnɪŋ (American English)

    • ˈwʌr - Similar to the British pronunciation, but the 'u' sound is more prominent, like "war."
    • -nɪ- - Same as above.
    • -ŋ - Same as above.

Here's a breakdown of the sounds and a helpful comparison:

Sound British English American English
w /w/ (like in "water") /w/ (like in "water")
ur /ɜː/ (wur - short 'uh' sound) /ʌr/ (war - short 'uh' sound)
n /n/ /n/
i /ɪ/ (as in "bit") /ɪ/ (as in "bit")
ng /ŋ/ (as in "sing") /ŋ/ (as in "sing")

Resources for Listening:

Tips:

  • Focus on the 'ur' sound: This is usually the biggest stumbling block for learners. Practice saying "wur" and "war" and then connecting them.
  • Short vowel sounds: Be mindful of the short "i" sound. Don't over-elongate it.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • Where are you located? (e.g., UK, USA, Australia) - This helps me determine which pronunciation is more likely to be relevant to you.

Usage and examples with the word warning in English

Let's break down how to use the word "warning" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with several different applications. Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Noun (Referring to a Sign or Notice):

  • Definition: A signal or notice indicating a potential danger or risk. It’s the most common usage.
  • Examples:
    • “There’s a warning sign about slippery floors.” (Indicates a danger)
    • “The lifeguard posted a warning about strong currents.” (A notification of a hazard)
    • “I saw a warning label on the medicine.” (Alerting to potential side effects)
    • “The airport issued a travel warning due to the storm.” (A statement about a hazardous situation)

2. As a Verb (To Alert or Warn Someone):

  • Definition: To inform someone of a potential danger or problem; to tell someone to be careful.
  • Examples:
    • “The police will warn drivers about road closures.” (Giving advance notice)
    • “I warned him about the consequences of his actions.” (Giving advice to avoid danger)
    • "The doctor warned her to get more sleep." (Providing a medical alert)
    • "She warned me not to touch the hot stove." (A direct instruction to avoid harm)

3. Figurative Usage (Hints, Suggestions, or Premonitions):

  • Definition: Sometimes "warning" is used more broadly to describe a hint, a feeling, or a premonition about something that might go wrong. This is less common but important to recognize.
  • Examples:
    • “I got a warning in my gut that something wasn’t right.” (A feeling of unease)
    • “The strange silence was a warning of the approaching storm.” (An intuition about a coming event)
    • "His evasive answers were a warning about his lack of honesty." (A subtle hint of a negative quality)

Key Phrases & Common Combinations:

  • Warning sign: (Most common noun usage – a visual alert)
  • Give a warning: (Verb – to alert someone)
  • Heed the warning: (To pay attention to a warning and take precautions)
  • A serious warning: (Emphasizes the importance of the warning)
  • Public warning: (A warning issued to a large group)

Tips for Using "Warning" Correctly:

  • Context is crucial: The meaning of "warning" depends heavily on the context.
  • Specificity is important: Whenever possible, provide details about what the warning is about. "There's a warning" isn't very helpful. "There's a warning about icy conditions" is much better.
  • Tone: Use a serious and urgent tone when delivering a warning.

Resources for More Information:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you hoping to use the word "warning" in? (e.g., writing a story, giving instructions, describing a situation)

Synonyms for the word warning

Practice with vocabulary warning

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The meteorologist issued a severe weather ____ for the coastal regions, advising residents to prepare for heavy rainfall.
  2. After repeated policy violations, the employee received a final written ____ from human resources.
  3. The sign displayed a clear ____ to drivers about the slippery road ahead.
  4. The financial analyst presented a detailed ____ of the company's performance over the last quarter.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (select all that apply)

  1. Which of the following terms most strongly implies an impending negative consequence or danger? a) forecast b) caution c) warning d) advisory

  2. A company recently issued a serious ____ to its employees about new security vulnerabilities. a) announcement b) update c) warning d) notice

  3. The doctor gave a clear ____ about the side effects of the new medication. a) prescription b) caution c) instruction d) warning

  4. Which word describes a detailed plan or list of procedures for an activity? a) Blueprint b) Directive c) Protocol d) Indication

  5. The manager provided specific ____ to the team on how to improve their presentation skills. a) recommendations b) suggestions c) demands d) threats

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The meteorologist announced that severe weather was approaching, advising caution. Rewrite the sentence, starting with "A..." and including the word "warning."
  2. The regulatory body informed companies about the need to comply with new environmental standards. Rewrite the sentence to include the word "warning" or a related form, indicating potential penalties.
  3. The supervisor gently advised the new employee about the importance of punctuality. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for "advised" that does not include "warning."

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. warning
  2. warning
  3. caution
  4. summary

Exercise 2:

  1. c) warning
  2. c) warning
  3. b) caution, d) warning
  4. a) Blueprint, c) Protocol
  5. a) recommendations, b) suggestions

Exercise 3:

  1. A warning of severe weather was issued by the meteorologist, advising caution.
  2. The regulatory body issued a warning to companies regarding non-compliance with new environmental standards.
  3. The supervisor gently counseled the new employee about the importance of punctuality.

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