Exercise great caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Exercise great caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you want to advise someone to be careful or to take precautions in a particular situation. Example: "When handling chemicals, it is essential to exercise great caution to avoid any accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

Exercise great caution when opening up your furnace by making sure the power is disconnected, the blower has stopped moving, and the burners and ignitor are off before doing any maintenance on your furnace.

WikiHow

You were well advised to exercise great caution in the bathrooms.

The New York Times

That said, the Obama administration would be wise to exercise great caution in launching "out of area" special forces operations so as to minimise political fall-out in countries like Pakistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We ask the administration to release the text immediately, and urge legislators to exercise great caution in evaluating the TPP," Richard Trumka, president of the largest labor union federation in the US, AFL-CIO, said on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

In a country with one of the most sophisticated media and Internet censorship systems, Mr. Zhang and other bloggers must exercise great caution when writing about politically sensitive content — often skirting the label "citizen reporter".

The New York Times

"All I am saying to you is to exercise great caution in allowing yourself to be deflected from reaching a true verdict by such a naked appeal to sympathy". Mr Carman said a "strategy of smear" had been used to try to discredit Mr Al Fayed during cross-examination.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

Gun owners do not appear to exercise greater caution even when they live with at-risk teens.

The Washington Post

Many writers, celebrities and internet entrepreneurs have millions of Weibo followers, and many will have to exercise greater caution in their posts, Anti said.

The Guardian

But that is all the more the reason that we should exercise greater caution, unless, for some unaccounted reason, we are dying for another war in Korea.

The New York Times

More surprisingly, in recent months, it appears that banks in the United Arab Emirates and China are also beginning to exercise greater caution in their business dealings with Iran.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rear Adm. Edwin R. Kohn Jr., the senior American military officer in the Philippines, appeared on the Armed Forces Radio and Television Network tonight to urge the 16,000 American men and women stationed at the two bases to exercise greater caution.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "Exercise Great Caution", clearly specify the context or situation where caution is needed to ensure the advice is actionable and well-understood.

Common error

Avoid using "Exercise Great Caution" in casual conversations or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "be careful" or "watch out" for a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise great caution" functions as a directive, urging the recipient to be careful and take necessary precautions. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples in Ludwig show its usage in contexts requiring safety and prudence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Academia

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "exercise great caution" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, according to Ludwig AI, employed to advise careful and prudent action. While relatively uncommon, it appears primarily in news, scientific, and wiki contexts, and carries a neutral to formal register. For more informal situations, simpler alternatives may be more appropriate. When using "exercise great caution", it's best practice to clearly specify the context for clarity. Related phrases include "be extremely careful" and "take considerable precautions", offering similar semantic weight. The phrase's purpose is typically to warn or instruct to prevent potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Be extremely careful

Emphasizes the level of care needed.

Take considerable precautions

Focuses on the preventive measures to be taken.

Proceed with utmost care

Highlights the manner in which an action should be carried out.

Act with circumspection

Uses a more formal tone to suggest prudence.

Handle with kid gloves

Emphasizes the delicacy required in a situation.

Be vigilant

Highlights the need for awareness and watchfulness.

Mind yourself

Uses a more informal and direct tone, common in certain dialects.

Look sharp

An informal way of saying someone should be attentive and careful.

Tread carefully

Implies navigating a potentially dangerous or sensitive situation.

Be on your guard

Stresses the need to be ready for potential threats or issues.

FAQs

How can I use "Exercise great caution" in a sentence?

Use "Exercise great caution" to advise someone to be very careful and take precautions in a particular situation. For example, "When handling chemicals, it is essential to exercise great caution to avoid any accidents."

What phrases are similar to "Exercise great caution"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "be extremely careful", "take considerable precautions", or "proceed with utmost care".

In what situations is it appropriate to use the phrase "Exercise great caution"?

The phrase "Exercise great caution" is appropriate in situations where there is a potential for danger, risk, or negative consequences. It is suitable for formal and serious contexts.

Is "Exercise great caution" a formal or informal expression?

"Exercise great caution" is a formal expression. In informal contexts, it's better to use simpler alternatives such as "be careful" or "watch out".