as a caution

USAGE SUMMARY

"as a caution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it as an adverbial phrase to indicate that someone or something should take care or be careful about something. For example: "As a caution, wear a helmet when skiing to avoid serious injury".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

As a caution against this, however, City Ballet revived Wayne McGregor's "Outlier" on Saturday afternoon.

The New York Times - Arts

While George Bush has boasted of authorising the international crime of torture and faced not so much as a caution.

The Guardian - Opinion

He hoped the shots of his body, clad only in a small towel, would serve as a caution.

The Guardian - Film

"Heath's accidental death serves as a caution to the hidden dangers of combining prescription medication, even at low dosage".

The New York Times

As a caution: this is a lot more gorey than The Hunger Games and we only recommend it to discerning readers with strong stomachs.

The Guardian

The stylebook also notes that The Times uppercases trademarks "as a caution to readers who might inadvertently adopt a name owned by someone else".

The New York Times - Magazine

Is there a way for the Thains and Fulds of the world to be held up to shame, if only as a caution to others?

The New York Times

"Our findings ought to act as a caution," says Mick Fletcher, the LSDA's research manager and author of the report: LSC Funding and Specialist Colleges.

The Guardian

The paintings were said to be popular among Dutch burghers as a caution to anyone contemplating a life in alchemy instead of steady trade.

The New York Times - Science

(Be wary of leaving on harsher active ingredients, like alpha hydroxy acids, for too long, Dr. Sadick said as a caution).

The New York Times

Maybe the swiftness with which officials revised that explanation should have served as a caution to take the new analysis, too, as provisional.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "as a caution", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific danger or problem is being guarded against. This helps the audience understand the gravity and relevance of the advice.

Common error

Avoid starting too many sentences with "as a caution" in a single piece of writing. This can make the writing sound repetitive and less engaging. Vary your sentence structure by using synonyms or rephrasing to keep the reader's attention.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a caution" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating the reason or purpose behind a particular action or statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in introducing a warning or precautionary measure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

32%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a caution" is a versatile phrase used to introduce warnings, advice, or precautionary measures. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct. It functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a clause by indicating the rationale behind an action. It's common in News & Media and scientific contexts, with a neutral to slightly formal tone. While generally safe to use, be mindful of overusing it. Consider related phrases like "as a warning" or "to err on the side of caution" to avoid repetition. Remember to provide a clear context for the caution to ensure its relevance to the audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a warning

Replaces "caution" with "warning", emphasizing the potential negative consequences.

as a preventive measure

Focuses on the action taken to avoid a potential problem.

to err on the side of caution

Expresses the idea of being overly careful to avoid risks.

for safety's sake

Highlights that caution is taken for the sake of safety.

to be on the safe side

Suggests that extra measures are taken to minimize risk.

as a precautionary step

Similar to preventive measure, but emphasizes the step taken.

with vigilance

Indicates a need to be watchful and alert.

as a reminder

Serves to remind of potential risks or necessary actions.

to avoid any issues

Highlights the avoidance of problems as the goal.

for your own good

Implies the caution is for the benefit of the person being warned.

FAQs

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

You can use "as a caution" to introduce a warning or piece of advice. For example, "As a caution, always back up your data to prevent data loss."

What are some phrases similar to "as a caution"?

Alternatives to "as a caution" include "as a warning", "to err on the side of caution", or "for safety's sake".

Is "as a caution" formal or informal?

"As a caution" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in certain professional settings.

When should I use "as a caution" instead of "beware"?

Use "as a caution" when providing a specific recommendation or action to take. Use "beware" for general warnings about potential dangers. For example, "As a caution, check the weather before hiking". Vs. "Beware of wild animals in this area".