Meaning & use
forewarn
Last updated
Meaning
verbtransitive
To tell someone about a possible danger or problem before it happens, so they can prepare.
Grammar: Takes an object: forewarn someone. Often followed by that or of: forewarned us that...
Patterns
- forewarn someone
- forewarn someone about something
- forewarn someone of something
- forewarn someone that ...
The guide forewarned us about the steep climb ahead.
She forewarned him that the meeting might run late.
The weather service forewarned residents of the coming storm.
Word forms
| third person singular | forewarns |
|---|---|
| past tense | forewarned |
| past participle | forewarned |
| -ing form | forewarning |
Common combinations
- forewarn someone about something
- He forewarned me about the traffic delays.
- forewarn someone of something
- The captain forewarned the crew of the rough seas.
- forewarn someone that ...
- She forewarned us that the tickets were selling fast.
- be forewarned
- Be forewarned: the exam is very difficult.
Synonyms and how they differ
- warn
- Warn is the general word; forewarn adds the idea of giving notice well in advance.
- alert
- Alert means to make someone aware of a danger, often quickly; forewarn stresses that the information comes before the event.
- caution
- Caution is to advise someone to be careful, often about a specific risk; forewarn is simply to give advance notice.
Word family
- forewarning noun
- A warning given in advance.
Commonly confused: forewarn or forwarn?
forewarn vs forwarn
This is a misspelling; the correct word is forewarn with 'fore-' meaning 'before'.
Practice
The teacher ______ us that the test would be hard.
Choose one answer.
The past tense 'forewarned' fits because it means warned in advance. 'Warned' is possible but less precise, 'forewarn' is the base form and doesn't fit the past tense, and 'warning' is a present participle that would need a helping verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “forewarn”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.