I caution against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I caution against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid a particular action or decision due to potential negative consequences. Example: "I caution against making hasty decisions without considering all the facts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

"I caution against premature decisions one way or the other".

The New York Times

However, I caution against the rapid implementation for adolescents.

The New York Times

This time I caution against Netanyahu's sectarian tone.

The Guardian - Opinion

I caution against a blinkered approach – stop and take in the view sometime.

The Guardian - Tech

"I caution against allowing this movement to be defined by any one leader or politician," she said.

The New York Times

(Which is maybe why Bitcoin has risen above $1,000 in value, though I caution against attributing too much significance to this; in the long run, lower volatility, not higher value, is what's important).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

46 human-written examples

Eshai J. Gorshein Brookline, Mass., Feb. 11, 2011 • To the Editor: As the commissioner for public health for Cincinnati some 35 years ago, I cautioned against using public health policy in a way that limits individual choice.

The New York Times

Last year at this time I cautioned against following the sentiment that ruinous interest rates lie ahead.

Forbes

I also caution against this attitude.

The New York Times

"I would caution against thinking this is just about Putin.

The Economist

I'd caution against reading too much into this despair, though.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I caution against" when you want to advise someone to avoid a specific action due to potential negative consequences or risks. It implies a reasoned warning based on experience or knowledge.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "I caution against" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. In informal settings, consider using alternatives like "I wouldn't do that" or "Be careful about that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I caution against" functions as an advisory expression, indicating a recommendation to avoid a particular course of action. It's used to express concern about potential negative outcomes, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I caution against" is a phrase used to advise against a particular action due to potential negative consequences. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's grammatically correct and suitable for neutral to formal contexts. While not extremely frequent, it's consistently found in reliable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. When writing, remember that while accurate, it could be regarded as overly formal in informal conversations, so be mindful of the register. Consider alternatives like "I advise against it" or "I warn against it" for different shades of meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I advise against it

Replaces "caution" with "advise" for a more direct recommendation against something.

I warn against it

Uses "warn" instead of "caution", suggesting a stronger sense of potential danger.

I would advise against that

Adds "would" to soften the advice and make it less assertive.

I discourage that approach

Replaces "caution" with "discourage", focusing on preventing a specific approach.

I recommend avoiding it

Suggests avoiding something, rather than directly cautioning against it.

I'd be wary of that

Expresses a sense of wariness and suggests caution.

I suggest you reconsider

A more polite way of expressing caution, suggesting a second thought.

I urge you to be careful

Emphasizes the need for caution and care.

It would be wise to avoid

Focuses on the wisdom of avoiding a certain action.

I implore you to reconsider

Uses "implore" to emphasize the importance of reconsidering a decision, indicating high stakes or significant potential negative outcomes.

FAQs

What does "I caution against" mean?

The phrase "I caution against" means that you are advising someone to be careful and avoid a particular action or decision because it may have negative consequences.

What can I say instead of "I caution against"?

You can use alternatives like "I advise against", "I warn against", or "I recommend avoiding" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "I caution on" instead of "I caution against"?

No, the correct phrase is "I caution against". Using "on" instead of "against" is grammatically incorrect in this context.

When is it appropriate to use "I caution against"?

"I caution against" is appropriate when you want to express a reasoned warning or advice based on your knowledge or experience. It's suitable for both formal and semi-formal situations, but might sound too stiff in very casual conversations.