be careful about

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence 'be careful about' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to advise someone to exercise caution or be aware of something. Example: Be careful about what you post online—employers may be looking at your profile.

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be careful about boundaries, however.

The Guardian

ONE has to be careful about stories.

The New York Times

Let's be careful about that term.

The New York Times

Be careful about doing that.

Science Magazine

Be careful about your advisors.

TechCrunch

(4) Be careful about compliments.

Huffington Post

Be careful about whom you trust".

Los Angeles Times

Be careful about over-focusing on slums.

Unicef

Be careful about everything.

WikiHow

Be careful about guns.

WikiHow

Be careful about "smoothies".

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be careful about", clearly specify what the potential danger or negative consequence is to avoid ambiguity. For example, "Be careful about the sharp edges of the glass."

Common error

Avoid using "be careful about" without providing context. Instead of saying "Be careful about that", specify what 'that' refers to, such as "Be careful about that broken step."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be careful about" functions as a warning or advisory expression. It prompts the listener or reader to exercise caution or pay attention to potential risks or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it's correct and usable in written English, serving to highlight the need for vigilance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

27%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Science

31%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be careful about" is a widely used phrase for advising caution and awareness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is most frequently found in Wiki and News & Media sources. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific context to avoid vagueness and to clearly communicate potential risks.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cautious about

Similar in meaning, but emphasizes a more general sense of caution.

exercise caution with

Similar to "be cautious about", but perhaps a bit more deliberate.

be wary of

Implies a sense of distrust or suspicion.

look out for

Suggests anticipating potential dangers or problems.

be vigilant concerning

Emphasizes the need for constant watchfulness.

take precautions regarding

More formal and emphasizes preventative measures.

consider carefully

Emphasizes thoughtful deliberation before acting.

pay attention to

Focuses on attentiveness rather than outright caution.

mindful of

Focuses on being aware and considerate.

bear in mind

Highlights the importance of remembering something relevant.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "be careful about" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider using phrases such as "exercise caution with", "take precautions regarding", or "be mindful of".

What's the difference between "be careful about" and "be wary of"?

"Be careful about" generally advises caution, while "be wary of" suggests a degree of distrust or suspicion. Use "be wary of" when you suspect potential deception or hidden dangers.

When is it appropriate to use "be careful about"?

"Be careful about" is appropriate when advising someone to pay attention to potential risks or negative consequences in a variety of situations, from everyday activities to more complex decisions.

What are some common things people are told to "be careful about"?

People are commonly advised to "be careful about" things like: strangers, sharp objects, what they say, whom they trust, and financial decisions. The phrase is versatile and applies to many contexts.