I caution that

USAGE SUMMARY

"I caution that" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English.
It is typically used when giving an opinion or warning about something. For example, "I caution that canceling the event could have unforeseen consequences."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"But I caution that we've already discounted a great deal of anxiety in the market".

The New York Times

I caution that it is a draft, so we don't know what final language will make it into the report.

The New York Times

"I caution that this will be a decision not just by the UK or Irish governments but ultimately also by the 27 EU states.

The Guardian

I caution that in cases where there is no prejudice to hearing fairness, the delay must be clearly unacceptable and have directly caused a significant prejudice to amount to an abuse of process.

Harvard University

Asked on BBC2' s Newsnight if the air strikes would continue for as long as four years, Mr Hammond said: "I hope it won't be four years, but I caution that it isn't going to be months".

Independent

But I caution that there are risks here still.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

I'm sorry he caught so much flak over the things his pastor said, but like I always caution, that's the kind of thing that happens when you go to church.

Huffington Post

In my Nov. 18, 1996 column, I cautioned that the stock market was in a bubble phase, and when compared with bonds, stocks were expensive.

Forbes

At the time, I cautioned that those aggressive rate hikes would be the pin that pops Turkey's long-lasting credit bubble, which has proven to be correct, so far.

Forbes

"I cautioned that it was not likely that we'd see it anytime soon," he admits in the book.

Huffington Post

In an earlier piece in the Huffington Post, published on April 14 , 2015 I cautioned that Puerto Rico's bondholders were going to have some sleepless nights.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I caution that" to introduce a statement of potential risk or negative consequences. This clearly signals to your audience that you are about to offer a word of warning or restraint.

Common error

Avoid beginning multiple consecutive sentences with "I caution that", as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your sentence structure and use synonyms like "it should be noted that" or "please be aware that" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I caution that" functions as a disclaimer or a hedging device, used to express a degree of uncertainty or reservation about a statement. Ludwig confirms that this phrase introduces a warning or provides advice with a degree of uncertainty. Examples show it used to temper expectations or highlight potential risks.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Science

13%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I caution that" serves as a valuable linguistic tool for expressing reservation or offering a warning within various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound expression found across diverse sources, including news media, academic papers, and business communications. While generally appropriate, varying your phrasing and using synonyms can avoid redundancy. Remember to reserve "I caution that" for instances where you specifically want to highlight a potential risk or advise a degree of skepticism. While acceptable in most writing, it’s important to consider more formal options when writing academic or scientific content.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I warn that

Directly conveys a stronger sense of potential danger or negative consequence.

Let me add a word of warning

Explicitly introduces a cautionary statement.

I advise caution regarding that

Emphasizes the 'advice' aspect and specifies the area needing caution.

Bear in mind that

Calls attention to a specific detail that should not be forgotten or overlooked.

Please be aware that

Draws attention to a certain condition or circumstance that needs to be taken into account.

I suggest a degree of skepticism regarding that

Recommends a questioning attitude, specifically addressing potential over-optimism.

I urge you to consider that

Focuses on prompting reflection before action, softening the cautionary tone.

It is important to remember that

Highlights the significance of keeping a particular point in mind, which might prevent future problems.

I would point out that

Highlights a relevant fact or consideration, subtly implying a need for caution.

It should be noted that

Presents a factual observation that implicitly carries a cautionary message.

FAQs

How can I use "I caution that" in a sentence?

Use "I caution that" to introduce a warning or to express a reservation about something. For example, "I caution that relying solely on that data may lead to inaccurate conclusions".

What's a more formal alternative to "I caution that"?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases like "it should be noted that" or "it is important to remember that", which convey a similar sense of caution in a more detached way.

Is "I caution that" too informal for academic writing?

While "I caution that" is generally acceptable, in academic writing, it might be more appropriate to use phrases that sound less personal. Try "one should note that" or "it is worth considering that".

What's the difference between "I caution that" and "I warn that"?

"I warn that" implies a stronger sense of potential danger or negative consequences, while "I caution that" suggests a more general reservation or need for careful consideration.