as a cautionary note

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a cautionary note" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a warning or advice regarding a particular situation or topic. Example: "As a cautionary note, it is important to consider the potential risks before proceeding with the investment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

If so, let this post serve as a cautionary note.

The Guardian - Film

Many sophisticated young people "see the past as a cautionary note," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

The authors describe the failure to forecast deflation in Japan as "a cautionary note for other policy makers in similar circumstances".

The Economist

From a broader governance perspective, however, the court's ruling serves as a cautionary note on the limitations of the reliance defense, particularly in a regulatory environment in which individual accountability is often the order of the day.

The New York Times

As a cautionary note, I hope none of the readers will ever become comfortable diagnosing their own hearing deficits, especially when they occur on only one side of the body.

The New York Times

As a cautionary note, sci-fi shows like "V" and "The Event" on NBC, as well as another ABC show, "Flash Forward," often burst out fast but then do not last.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

The results have implications for understanding southern proto-Jê social formation, ritual practice, and resource management, as well as providing a cautionary note for the consideration of cultural formation when designing research questions and methodologies.

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

Some of these sales have been cited by some experts as evidence of a potential threat from Cuba, although the latest assessment is likely to be seen as supplying a cautionary note.

The New York Times

Blue Apron acknowledged as much in a cautionary note to potential buyers of its stock.

The Washington Post

One other statistic offers a cautionary note as investigators search for clues about the identity of the perpetrators of the Boston attack.

The New York Times

By tracing the subtle and complicated political dynamics that emerged with New Deal policies, Mettler sounds a cautionary note as we once again negotiate the bounds of American federalism and public policy.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a cautionary note" to gently introduce potential pitfalls or downsides, especially when presenting otherwise positive information. This helps maintain objectivity and build trust with your audience.

Common error

Avoid starting multiple consecutive sentences with similar cautionary phrases. Vary your sentence structure and wording to prevent your writing from sounding repetitive and overly negative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a cautionary note" serves as an introductory element in a sentence or clause. As stated by Ludwig AI, it introduces a warning, advice, or important consideration. It modifies the subsequent statement by adding a note of caution.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

32%

Science

30%

Academia

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as a cautionary note" is a phrase used to introduce a warning, piece of advice, or important consideration. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It's prevalent in news, science, and academic contexts, serving to alert the audience to potential risks or problems. While grammatically sound, overuse should be avoided. Alternative phrases like "as a warning" or "it should be noted that" can be used to add variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a word of caution

Replaces "note" with "word of caution", emphasizing the warning aspect.

by way of warning

Focuses on the warning aspect, changing the structure slightly.

as a matter of prudence

Emphasizes the wisdom and care that should be taken.

it should be noted that

More formal and emphasizes the act of noting something important.

bear in mind that

Emphasizes the importance of remembering something.

keep in mind that

Similar to "bear in mind that", focusing on remembering something.

it is worth noting that

Highlights the value of the information being presented.

for your consideration

Suggests something needs careful thought.

it is important to remember

Directly urges the audience to remember a key detail.

let this serve as a warning

More forceful, presenting something as a direct warning.

FAQs

How can I use "as a cautionary note" in a sentence?

You can use "as a cautionary note" to introduce a warning or piece of advice, for instance, "As a cautionary note, be sure to back up your data before updating the software."

What are some alternatives to "as a cautionary note"?

Alternatives include "as a warning", "by way of warning", or "it should be noted that", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to use "as a cautionary note" or "as a warning"?

"As a cautionary note" is generally milder and more subtle than "as a warning". The choice depends on the severity of the potential issue and the desired tone. If you want to signal high risk or severity, use "as a warning", in other cases, when risks are not very high and a piece of advice is enough, use "as a cautionary note".

What part of speech is "as a cautionary note"?

"As a cautionary note" functions as a phrase that introduces an adverbial element, modifying the sentence by providing a condition, warning, or advice. It sets the context for what follows.