abundance of caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "abundance of caution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone taking extra care or performing many safety checks and precautions in order to avoid possible risks. For example, "We should proceed with an abundance of caution, since this is a sensitive issue."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"Just an abundance of caution," he murmured.

The New York Times

But this abundance of caution comes at a steep price.

The New York Times

Mr. Yassky attributed the move to "an abundance of caution".

The New York Times

Some of this hesitance reflects an understandable abundance of caution.

The New York Times - Magazine

"We are going with an abundance of caution," Yantis said Tuesday.

The Guardian

A recall was being maintained, officials said, "out of an abundance of caution".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

It's an abundance-of-caution issue".

Huffington Post

They hope the city's abundance-of-caution response doesn't hinder any lawful protests in the wake of the verdict's announcement.

Vice

Clearly, the IOC does not approach matters of unfair advantage with an under-abundance of caution.

Huffington Post

Out of an abundance of caution, many banks automatically treat all international transfers as "suspicious".

TechCrunch

The recall is "out of an abundance of caution," the Food and Drug Administration said.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "abundance of caution" to justify preventative measures, especially when the potential consequences are severe, but the actual risk is uncertain.

Common error

Avoid using "abundance of caution" repeatedly in the same document or conversation. It can sound repetitive. Instead, vary your language with synonyms like "taking every precaution" or "exercising extreme prudence".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "abundance of caution" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as an object of a preposition (e.g., "out of an abundance of caution"). It describes the reason or motivation behind a particular action, emphasizing a desire to minimize potential risks. Ludwig shows many examples where this phrase is used to justify preventative measures.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "abundance of caution" is a common noun phrase used to justify preventative actions, especially when the precise level of risk is unknown. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news and media. While versatile, overuse can lead to redundancy, making synonyms like "extreme prudence" or "taking every precaution" useful alternatives. The phrase is best suited for neutral to formal contexts, explaining prudent measures to minimize potential harm. It is important to remember that while the phrase is widely used, is also good practice to avoid using it to excess and making use of the multiple synonyms available.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking every precaution

Emphasizes leaving nothing to chance.

prudent approach

Suggests a sensible and careful way of doing something.

excessive carefulness

Emphasizes going beyond what is normally considered careful.

extreme circumspection

Highlights being very wary and unwilling to take risks.

extreme prudence

Highlights the wisdom and careful consideration involved.

rigorous safety measures

Focuses on strict and thorough precautions.

heightened vigilance

Focuses on increased watchfulness and alertness.

conservative strategy

Emphasizes minimizing potential losses or negative outcomes.

unnecessary risk aversion

Implies avoiding risks even when they are minimal.

overabundance of attentiveness

Underscores excessive attention to detail.

FAQs

What does "abundance of caution" mean?

The phrase "abundance of caution" refers to taking extra precautions and being extremely careful in a situation, especially when potential risks are involved.

How can I use "abundance of caution" in a sentence?

You might say, "The company recalled the product out of an "abundance of caution", even though no defects were reported".

What are some alternatives to "abundance of caution"?

Alternatives include "extreme prudence", "taking every precaution", or "excessive carefulness", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "abundance of caution"?

It's appropriate when describing actions taken to minimize potential risks, particularly when the exact level of danger is unknown or difficult to quantify.