be cautious of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be cautious of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to warn someone to be mindful of something, usually a potential danger or risk. For example: "Be cautious of the strong current in the river when swimming."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"We should be cautious, of course.

The Guardian

There are reasons to be cautious of this approach, however.

The New York Times

And we're going to have to be cautious of that".

The New York Times

And be cautious of buying old bottles.

Forbes

Here are some other dynamics to be cautious of.

TechCrunch

QuickBooks users be cautious of recent update [TUAW].

TechCrunch

Be cautious of who you share your ideas with.

Forbes

We should be cautious of the risk that microbiome initiative might encounter the same backlash.

Protein & Cell

VCs should be cautious of only considering the number of closed deals for advancement.

TechCrunch

7. Be cautious of the five-page-a-week workshops.

Huffington Post

Be cautious of being lured into a bad situation.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be cautious of", clearly specify what the potential danger or risk is to provide actionable guidance. For instance, instead of just saying "Be cautious of the market", specify "Be cautious of the market's volatility during earnings season."

Common error

Avoid using "be cautious of" in overly broad or vague statements without providing specific context. Instead of saying "Be cautious of technology", specify "Be cautious of adopting new technology without proper security protocols".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be cautious of" primarily functions as a directive, advising someone to be mindful of potential risks or dangers. Ludwig examples show it used to warn about various situations, from ice on the road to sharing personal information.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Wiki

25%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Reference

8%

Social Media

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be cautious of" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used to advise mindfulness of potential risks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. It's very common across diverse contexts like news, science and how-to guides, but remember to provide specific context for the caution. Alternatives such as "be wary of" or "be careful of" offer similar meanings with subtle nuances. Remember to avoid overgeneralizing your warnings and specify the potential danger you're highlighting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be wary of

Emphasizes suspicion and distrust; suggests a need for vigilance.

be careful of

Highlights the need for prudence to avoid potential harm or danger.

exercise caution regarding

A more formal alternative, indicating a need for deliberate and careful action.

be mindful of

Focuses on being aware and attentive to potential issues or considerations.

take heed of

Suggests paying close attention to a warning or piece of advice.

be circumspect about

Highlights the need for careful and well-considered actions or decisions.

keep an eye out for

Implies watching for something specific that may pose a threat or opportunity.

be on your guard against

Suggests preparing to defend against potential threats or deception.

look out for

Warns to be attentive to potential dangers or problems.

think twice about

Suggests carefully reconsidering a decision due to potential negative consequences.

FAQs

How can I use "be cautious of" in a sentence?

You can use "be cautious of" to advise someone to be mindful of potential dangers or risks. For example, "Be cautious of the ice on the road" or "Be cautious of giving out personal information online".

What are some alternatives to "be cautious of"?

Alternatives include "be wary of", "be careful of", or "take heed of". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "be cautious of" or "be careful of"?

Both "be cautious of" and "be careful of" are grammatically correct and widely understood. "Be cautious of" often suggests a more general awareness of potential risks, while "be careful of" emphasizes avoiding specific actions that could lead to harm. Generally, they're interchangeable, but "be careful of" is usually adopted for physical things.

What does "be cautious of" mean?

"Be cautious of" means to be aware of potential dangers or problems and to take steps to avoid them. It's a way of advising someone to "be prudent" and "exercise care" in a given situation.