avertir

Avertir is a French verb meaning to warn or to alert someone about a danger or an undesirable situation. It can also mean to inform in advance in order to prevent a problem. The noun form, avertissement, corresponds to a warning or caution.

Etymology and range: Avertir comes from Old French avertir, itself from Latin advertere, literally “to turn toward,” reflecting the sense of turning someone’s attention to something. In modern use, the verb is transitive and commonly appears with a direct object for the person being warned and with prepositional complements for the information conveyed.

Usage and constructions: Avertir typically takes the pattern avertir quelqu’un de quelque chose, meaning to warn someone of something. It can also be used with contre to warn someone against something (avertir quelqu’un contre qqch). With a clause, one can say avertir que … to warn that … For example: Le médecin l’a averti des effets secondaires du médicament; Le bulletin météorologique avertit des intempéries à venir. In more formal or official contexts, authorities may avertir the public, often via notices or alerts.

Conjugation: Avertir is an irregular -ir verb in some tenses. Present: j’avertiS, tu avertis, il avertit, nous avertissons, vous avertissez, ils avertissent. Passé composé: j’ai averti. Imparfait: j’avertissais. Futur: j’avertirai. Subjonctif: que j’avertisse. Conditionnel: j’avertirais.

Related terms and nuance: Avertir is closely related to prévenir; both can mean to inform, but avertir emphasizes warning about danger, while prévenir often includes the sense of forewarning or preventing a future issue. A warning issued by authorities is an avertissement.