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Prepositions with warning

Without warning or of warning?

Without warning is a common fixed expression meaning suddenly or with no advance notice. Of warning is not a normal standalone phrase in modern English.

Quick answer

Which phrase is correct?

Use without warning to mean that something happened suddenly or with no notice. The phrase of warning is generally not idiomatic by itself. Warning usually appears in patterns such as a warning about something, a warning against something, or a warning that clause.

The lights went out without warning.
He left without warning anyone.
The report included a warning about flooding.

Choose the pattern by meaning

These forms are not interchangeable. Choose the construction by meaning, not by which preposition appears most often.

1
without warning

Showing that something happened suddenly

Without warning means that no sign, notice, or preparation came before an event.

The car stopped without warning.
She burst into tears without warning.
2
warning about + topic

Giving notice about a danger or problem

Use warning about before a noun or topic that describes the danger.

Officials issued a warning about icy roads.
The app displayed a warning about suspicious activity.
3
warning against + action

Advising people not to do something

Use warning against before an action, behaviour, or plan.

Doctors gave a warning against smoking indoors.
The guide included a warning against swimming at night.
4
warning that + clause

Introducing a full statement of danger or risk

Use warning that followed by a clause to explain the risk directly.

The notice carried a warning that the bridge was unstable.
They received a warning that heavy rain was approaching.

See the difference in context

The same subject can take different constructions because each sentence answers a different question.

Construction
Example
Meaning
without warning
The dog ran into the road without warning.
Correct idiomatic phrase meaning suddenly or with no notice.
of warning
The phrase of warning is unusual on its own in modern English.
Generally nonstandard as a standalone expression.
warning about
She gave us a warning about the storm.
Introduces the subject of the warning.
warning against
The label includes a warning against misuse.
Advises people not to do something.
warning that
We received a warning that the river level was rising.
Introduces a full clause explaining the danger.

Common mistakes

Some combinations appear in real text but do not mean what learners often assume.

Using of warning as a fixed phrase

English does not normally use of warning by itself to mean suddenly or with no notice.

✕ The engine failed of warning. ✓ The engine failed without warning.

Choosing the wrong preposition after warning

Use about for topics and against for actions people should avoid.

✕ They issued a warning against the weather. ✓ They issued a warning about the weather.

Leaving out the needed clause after warning that

Warning that must be followed by a complete clause.

✕ The sign gave a warning that. ✓ The sign gave a warning that the area was unsafe.

Quick practice

Choose the expression that matches the intended meaning.

1. The power cut happened ___ warning.
2. Officials issued a warning ___ strong winds.
3. The notice included a warning ___ the chemicals were dangerous.

Check your sentence in context

Paste the complete sentence below. Linguix checks the preposition together with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and style.

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Frequently asked questions

Is without warning a fixed expression?

Yes. It is a common idiomatic phrase meaning suddenly or with no advance notice.

Can I say of warning?

Not usually as a standalone phrase. Modern English normally uses patterns such as warning about, warning against, or warning that.

What is the difference between warning about and warning against?

Warning about introduces a danger or topic. Warning against advises people not to do something.

with, dignity, of, dignity "with disability" or "of disability"? "with distinction" or "of distinction"? "with emphasis" or "of emphasis"? "with friend" or "of friend"? with, of, to, between or for husband? with, of, under, for or in load? "without exception", "of exception" or "with exception"? "without notice" or "of notice"? without, with, of, in or as regard? "with partner" or "of partner"? "with smile" or "of smile"?

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