Is 'Heads Up' Too Informal?

Each week we answer questions about American English from readers from outside the United¹ States. But today we answer a question from the American state of Alabama. Khan writes:

Question:

Could you tell me what else I can use instead of "heads up"? That term is considered informal²; therefore, I would like to know the formal word for "heads up."

Thanks.

Khan, Alabama

Answer:

Dear Khan,

Thank you for writing. Let us look closely³ at this expression and other ways to say it.

As you said, the term "heads up" is informal. However, it is so common in American English that we use it in almost every situation.

"Heads up" can be used as a noun⁴. It sends a message that says something is going to happen. Here is an example:

She gave him a heads up that the company's president would be visiting the office.

Also, you can ask for a "heads up" by asking someone to report when they are in the process of doing something.

Can you give me a heads up about how much time you will need for that project?

You might also hear someone say, "Thanks for the heads up!" This means⁵, "Thanks for letting me know!"

Other ways to say ‘heads up'

It is worth noting that "heads up" is a common expression Americans use with friends, family, coworkers and even in business meetings. But there are other ways to express the idea. One word you can use in place of "heads up" is "warn⁶:"

She warned⁷ him that the company's president would be visiting the office.

Another way to express the idea is with the word "let" when you want to give or get information:

Please let me know how much time you will need for that project.

Imagine that your company is moving to a new office and your supervisor⁸ is sending you an email. The message could "make you aware" of something or "draw your attention" to something, as we hear in these examples:

I want to make you aware that we are moving our office.

I wanted to draw your attention to the move of our office.

Khan, I hope that helps to answer your question about "heads up."

And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.

What questions do you have about American English? Send us an email at [email protected].

I'm Jill Robbins.

Words in This Story

informal - adj. (of language.) relaxed in tone⁹ or not suited for serious or official speech and writing

aware - adj. knowing that something (such as a situation, condition, or problem) exists

1 united   

adj.和谐的；团结的；联合的，统一的

参考例句：

• The whole nation is closely united.全国人民紧密团结。
• The two men were united by community of interests.共同的利益使两个人结合在一起。

2 informal   

adj.非正式的，不拘礼的，通俗的

参考例句：

• I got an informal reception.我受到了非正式接待。
• The leaders met over informal lunches.领袖们在非正式午餐时进行会晤。

3 closely   

adv.紧密地；严密地，密切地

参考例句：

• We shall follow closely the development of the situation.我们将密切注意形势的发展。
• The two companies are closely tied up with each other.这两家公司之间有密切联系。

4 noun   

n.名词

参考例句：

• What kind of noun is this?这是哪类名词？
• This word is a collective noun.这个词是个集体名词。

5 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

6 warn   

vt.警告，注意，远离；vi.提醒

参考例句：

• I must warn you that my patience is almost at an end.我必须警告你我已经没有耐心了。
• If you warn me in advance,I will have your order ready for you.你若预先通知我，我就能给您准备好了。

7 warned   

v.警告( warn的过去式和过去分词 )；提醒；告诫；预先通知

参考例句：

• Motorists have been warned to beware of icy roads. 已经提醒开车的人当心冰封的路面。
• I've warned her countless times. 我警告过她无数次了。

8 supervisor   

n.监督人，管理人，检查员，督学，主管，导师

参考例句：

• Between you and me I think that new supervisor is a twit.我们私下说，我认为新来的主管人是一个傻瓜。
• He said I was too flighty to be a good supervisor.他说我太轻浮不能成为一名好的管理员。

9 tone   

n.语气，音调，气度，色调；vt.（up）增强

参考例句：

• There was a tone of mockery in his voice.他说话的语气含有嘲笑的意味。
• Holmes used an informal,chatty tone in his essays.霍姆斯在文章中语气轻松随便。