be a cautionary tale

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be a cautionary tale" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to a story or example that serves as a warning to others about the consequences of certain actions or behaviors. Example: "Her experience with reckless spending serves to be a cautionary tale for those who are tempted to live beyond their means."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There may be a cautionary tale there.

The Economist

His will be a cautionary tale.

The New York Times - Sports

Let this be a cautionary tale.

The Guardian - Business

"This is going to be a cautionary tale".

The New York Times

He considers Banksy's precipitous rise to be a cautionary tale.

The New York Times - Magazine

And let this be a cautionary tale not forgotten.

The New York Times

Did you intend this novel to be a cautionary tale?

The Guardian - Books

For technology entrepreneurs, the Flip story may be a cautionary tale of another sort.

The New York Times - Tech

If anything, her story was intended to be a cautionary tale.

The New York Times

But the story may be a cautionary tale for Mr. Kerry.

The New York Times

That should be a cautionary tale for the recovery from Sandy".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be a cautionary tale" to preface an explanation of what went wrong, and why. This will focus your narrative on practical lessons rather than just assigning blame.

Common error

Avoid using "be a cautionary tale" without clearly specifying the lesson or the actions that should be avoided. A vague warning without concrete examples reduces the impact and relevance of the phrase.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be a cautionary tale" functions as a predicative expression. It ascribes the quality of serving as a warning to a specific event, situation, or story. As Ludwig AI confirm, it is grammatically correct and common.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be a cautionary tale" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase, confirmed by Ludwig AI, serving as a warning or lesson derived from past events. Predominantly found in news and media, the phrase effectively communicates potential risks and encourages informed decision-making. For alternative expressions, consider phrases like "serve as a warning" or "act as a lesson". Proper usage involves providing specific details to enhance the warning's impact, avoiding vague generalizations. With an expert rating of 4.6, the phrase's consistent and authoritative usage makes it a valuable tool for writers aiming to convey important lessons and prevent future errors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serve as a warning

Emphasizes the role of providing a warning.

act as a lesson

Highlights the instructive aspect of the situation.

offer a stark reminder

Focuses on the severity and importance of the lesson.

stand as an example

Points to the situation as a clear instance to be observed.

highlight the pitfalls

Directly addresses the negative consequences to be avoided.

demonstrate the dangers

Emphasizes the potential harm involved.

underscore the risks

Stresses the possible negative outcomes.

illustrate the consequences

Focuses on the direct results of actions.

sound the alarm

Implies an urgent warning to prevent future issues.

be a lesson learned

Focuses on the knowledge acquired from a specific event or experience.

FAQs

How can I use "be a cautionary tale" in a sentence?

You can use "be a cautionary tale" to describe a situation or event that serves as a warning to others. For example, "The company's failure to adapt to new technologies should "be a cautionary tale" for other businesses in the industry."

What does it mean for something to "be a cautionary tale"?

When something ""be a cautionary tale"", it means it serves as a warning or lesson to others, highlighting the negative consequences of certain actions or decisions.

What can I say instead of "be a cautionary tale"?

You can use alternatives like "serve as a warning", "act as a lesson", or "offer a stark reminder" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "be a cautionary tale" in formal writing?

Yes, ""be a cautionary tale"" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in contexts where you want to emphasize the importance of learning from past mistakes or avoiding potential risks.