a cautionary tone

USAGE SUMMARY

"a cautionary tone" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase to describe an attitude that expresses warning, disapproval, or advice concerning a certain situation. For example, "The mayor spoke with a cautionary tone, warning the citizens to be prepared for any changes to the city's regulations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

"This is a Christmas show," she said in a cautionary tone, "and there will be Christmas songs".

The New York Times

That said, there is a cautionary tone as to the weighting of full year profits which may result in downgrades.

The Guardian - Business

Tuesday's meeting began with an address by Speaker Robert W. Harrell Jr., a Republican, who struck a cautionary tone, noting that voters had bigger concerns.

The New York Times

Though many government and intelligence officials have said in the past week, and repeated Sunday, that they believed the Taliban leader was probably dead, a cautionary tone weighed on the reports.

The New York Times

In accepting an award for her powerful role in the women's sports movement, Billie Jean King struck a cautionary tone yesterday, pointing out "the playing field is far from level" and adding that sentiment expressed by some lawmakers and men's sports advocates to reinterpret Title IX "makes me nervous".

The New York Times - Sports

The former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers struck a cautionary tone in an interview with the BBC's World At One. "We're getting back into a world which is quite dangerous," he said, raising the prospect of the US going to war with Russia or China.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

I would have appreciated a more cautionary tone: heaven can be a weapon, not just a consolation.

The New York Times - Books

A break of the following levels will move our outlook to a more cautionary tone: DJIA: 11,630, SPX: 1,327 and COMP: 2,246.

Forbes

His remarks with Mr. Maliki had a more cautionary tone.

The New York Times

The warning follows a similar cautionary tone from the Dutch central bank, which noted that there is no central issuer which can held liable for bitcoin, and no deposit guarantee scheme in the event of bitcoin banks failing.

The Guardian - Tech

While the bank said it expected Japan's economy to continue to recover, it struck a more cautionary tone by pointing out that industrial production was weakening because of slack demand for some high-technology goods.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cautionary tone" to introduce potential drawbacks or limitations after presenting positive aspects to provide a balanced view.

Common error

Avoid using "a cautionary tone" too frequently, as it can create an overly negative or pessimistic impression. Use it strategically to highlight genuine concerns.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cautionary tone" primarily functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often implied or stated) to describe the manner in which something is expressed or presented. Ludwig's examples confirm its use in describing speeches, reports, and general attitudes.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cautionary tone" is a phrase used to express warnings or concerns about potential risks. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in written English. It is commonly used in news media, science, and formal business contexts to advise against potential risks and highlight potential pitfalls. When incorporating this phrase into your writing, ensure clarity and relevance, avoiding overuse to maintain impact. Alternatives like "a warning note" or "a note of caution" can be considered for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a note of caution

Highlights a specific instance or element of warning within a broader context.

a word of warning

Directly offers advice or a prediction of potential danger or difficulty.

a warning note

Emphasizes the act of giving a warning, rather than the overall feeling or atmosphere.

a preemptive warning

Focuses on a warning given in advance to prevent something from happening.

a circumspect manner

Highlights careful consideration and avoidance of risks in behavior or attitude.

a hesitant approach

Focuses on the action being performed with reservation, suggesting potential risks.

an admonitory stance

Suggests a position or attitude that expresses disapproval or gentle warning.

a guarded sentiment

Implies a protected or restrained feeling, often due to potential vulnerability.

a restrained outlook

Indicates a controlled and moderate perspective, often to avoid overoptimism.

a conservative estimate

Emphasizes a careful and lower-bound prediction, aiming to avoid overestimation.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "a cautionary tone" in writing?

Start by clearly stating the benefits or positive aspects, then introduce "a cautionary tone" to highlight potential risks or drawbacks, ensuring a balanced and credible perspective.

What does it mean to adopt "a cautionary tone"?

Adopting "a cautionary tone" implies expressing warnings or concerns about potential negative outcomes or risks associated with a particular action, decision, or situation.

What are some phrases similar to "a cautionary tone"?

You can use phrases like "a warning note", "a note of caution", or "a hesitant approach" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to express "a cautionary tone"?

It's appropriate to express "a cautionary tone" when you need to highlight potential risks, offer advice to prevent negative outcomes, or provide a balanced perspective by acknowledging potential drawbacks.