What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
warn
Example
I need to warn you about the icy roads ahead. [warn: verb]
Example
The teacher warned the students not to cheat on the exam. [warned: past tense]
alert
Example
The security guard alerted the police about the suspicious activity. [alerted: past tense]
Example
The weather service issued a tornado alert for the area. [alert: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Warn is more commonly used in everyday language, while alert is more commonly used in formal or emergency situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between warn and alert?
Alert is generally considered more formal than warn, as it is often used in emergency or urgent situations. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation and tone of the communication.
