be careful that

USAGE SUMMARY

"be careful that" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to advise someone to consider something or take certain precautions, for example: "Be careful that you don't spill your coffee on the laptop."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We must be careful that we don't underestimate our value.

The Guardian - Tech

Check often, and be careful that it doesn't burn.

The New York Times

You have to be careful that this first law of Newton is not valid for everybody.

Yale University

You just have to be careful that the outer boundary must go counterclockwise.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Be careful that your storage fees don't wipe out your savings.

The Washington Post

You also have to be careful that you don't get involved in an illegal scheme.

The Washington Post

He asked people "to be careful that this challenge does not hurt the country's security".

The Guardian

Be careful that laughter is not directed towards one or two people consistently.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I want to be careful that we're not coming to this question with our bias.

Harvard Business Review

Be careful that it's describing a noun.

BBC

Just be careful that these things don't derail the plan.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be careful that", clearly state the potential negative consequence you're trying to avoid. This provides context and makes the warning more effective.

Common error

Avoid using "be careful that" without specifying what the user should be careful about. A vague warning is less helpful than a specific one.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be careful that" functions as an advisory expression, used to caution someone about a potential risk or negative outcome. As Ludwig examples show, it often precedes a clause specifying what action should be avoided or what condition should be considered.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

37%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be careful that" is a commonly used phrase to express caution or provide a warning. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in various contexts. It is most frequently found in news and media and wiki-based sources, indicating a generally neutral to informal register. To enhance clarity, it's important to specify the potential negative consequence when using this phrase. Alternatives include "ensure that" and "take care that", offering slight variations in tone and emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cautious that

Replaces "careful" with its synonym, emphasizing prudence and awareness of potential risks.

take care that

Highlights the act of taking precautions, focusing on personal responsibility.

make sure that

Similar to ensure, but slightly more informal, highlighting the act of verification.

ensure that

Emphasizes making certain something happens, shifting focus from caution to assurance.

be wary that

Implies a sense of suspicion or distrust, suggesting the need for vigilance.

be vigilant that

Stresses the importance of being constantly alert and watchful.

mind that

A more informal way to express caution, often used in spoken English.

be heedful that

Suggests paying close attention to avoid mistakes or negative consequences.

look out that

Warns about a specific potential danger or problem.

pay attention that

Similar to "be heedful that", but a bit more direct.

FAQs

How can I use "be careful that" in a sentence?

Use "be careful that" to advise someone to take precautions. For example, "Be careful that you don't forget your keys".

What are some alternatives to "be careful that"?

Alternatives include "make sure that", "ensure that", or "take care that" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "be careful that" formal or informal?

"Be careful that" is generally considered neutral in formality and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although alternatives might be more appropriate for very formal writing.

What's the difference between "be careful that" and "be cautious that"?

Be cautious that is a more formal synonym for "be careful that", both advising someone to take precautions. The difference lies mainly in tone and context.