avertit

Avertit is the third-person singular present indicative form of the French verb avertir. The verb means to warn, alert, or inform someone about a risk, danger, or relevant information. In use, avertit indicates that a subject is issuing a warning in the present moment or as a general statement about their action.

It is a transitive verb and typically takes a person or group as its direct object, with the warning often followed by de + noun or a clause: "Il avertit les passagers du retard" or "Il avertit les habitants de l’arrivée d’un orage." The common construction is avertir quelqu’un de quelque chose, meaning to warn someone about something.

Etymology: From Old French avertir, ultimately from Latin advertere, meaning to turn toward or to turn one's attention to. The related noun avertissement denotes a warning, while avertisseur is a device that gives warnings.

Conjugation and related forms: In the present indicative, forms include j’avertis, tu avertis, il avertit, nous avertissons, vous avertissez, ils avertissent. The past participle is averti (as in il a averti). Related noun forms include avertissement and the agent noun avertisseur.

Usage notes: Avertir is common in news, authorities’ communications, safety advisories, and formal writing. It is close in meaning to prévenir, though avertir emphasizes issuing a warning rather than simply informing. Example: "Le maire avertit les habitants d’un danger imminent."