be careful to avoid

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be careful to avoid" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to take precautions or to be mindful of certain actions or situations. Example: "When driving in bad weather, be careful to avoid sudden movements that could lead to an accident."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Be careful to avoid letting many such messages pile up.

The New York Times - Tech

However, be careful to avoid the victim role.

Harvard Business Review

We have to be careful to avoid the fate of the frog".

The Guardian

A sophisticated cheater would be careful to avoid conspicuous blocks of identical answers.

The New York Times - Magazine

But we must be careful to avoid misunderstandings and pointless controversies.

The New York Times

We need to be careful to avoid giving the appearance of an unseemly rush".

The Guardian - Sport

He urged all three to be careful to avoid incriminating themselves.

The Washington Post

Of course, reporters and sources still had to be careful to avoid detection by the government.

The New York Times

And, again, if you want to help with donations, be careful to avoid scams.

The New York Times

The S.E.C. should be careful to avoid such an outcome in any rules it may adopt.

The New York Times

When they translate, they have to be careful to avoid a cheap and heavy result.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing advice, follow "be careful to avoid" with a specific and actionable item to enhance clarity and impact.

Common error

Avoid using "be careful to avoid" followed by vague advice. Instead of saying "be careful to avoid mistakes", specify the type of mistakes to watch out for.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be careful to avoid" functions as an imperative construction used to advise or warn someone about a potential danger or undesirable outcome. Ludwig confirms its correct and usable nature in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

30%

News & Media

28%

Science

22%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be careful to avoid" is a versatile and common expression used to advise or warn someone about potential dangers or undesirable outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, from news articles to everyday instructions. To use it effectively, follow it with a specific and actionable item. Common errors include overgeneralization. Consider alternatives like "take care not to" or "exercise caution to avoid" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take care not to

Suggests a gentler approach to being mindful and preventing something.

exercise caution to avoid

Emphasizes the need for deliberate and thoughtful action to prevent something.

be sure not to

Implies a need for certainty in preventing a specific outcome.

take precautions to not

Highlights the action of implementing preventive measures.

be wary of

Highlights a need to be cautious and alert to potential risks.

make sure to not

Focuses on ensuring that something undesirable does not happen.

steer clear of

Implies avoiding something that might be dangerous or unpleasant.

remember not to

Highlights the importance of remembering a specific action to prevent an unwanted result.

avoid at all costs

Emphasizes the importance of preventing something regardless of the effort involved.

refrain from

Suggests a deliberate act of holding oneself back from doing something.

FAQs

How can I use "be careful to avoid" in a sentence?

Use "be careful to avoid" when you want to advise someone to take precautions or be mindful of certain actions to prevent a specific outcome. For example, "When driving in bad weather, "be careful to avoid sudden movements" that could lead to an accident."

What are some alternatives to "be careful to avoid"?

You can use alternatives like "take care not to", "be sure not to", or "exercise caution to avoid" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "be careful to avoid" or "be careful of avoiding"?

"Be careful to avoid" is generally preferred. "Be careful of avoiding" is less common and can sound awkward. It's better to use "be careful to avoid" followed by the action you want to prevent.

What's the difference between "be careful to avoid" and "be careful of"?

"Be careful to avoid" is used when you want someone to prevent a specific action or outcome. "Be careful of" is used to warn someone about potential dangers or risks in a general sense. For example, "Be careful of the traffic" warns about the general danger of traffic, while "be careful to avoid jaywalking" advises against a specific action.