be especially cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be especially cautious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to take extra care or be more careful than usual in a particular situation. Example: "When driving in bad weather, it is important to be especially cautious to avoid accidents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— but there is reason to be especially cautious here.

The New York Times

Ms. Grant says people should be especially cautious now.

The New York Times

But in a close race candidates tend to be especially cautious and conventional.

The New Yorker

And lenders are likely to be especially cautious with newer chains that lack a track record.

The New York Times

Congress should be especially cautious about the scope of the revision.

The New York Times

Owners of Macintosh "clones" and some models of Powerbooks should be especially cautious.

The New York Times - Tech

Injures have forced Woodson to be especially cautious with his players.

The New York Times - Sports

Wouldn't a court be especially cautious in considering evidence involving a weapon in such circumstances?

The New York Times

Those with a family history of cardiac problems should be especially cautious.

The New York Times

Whatever the route, drivers should be especially cautious in the winter.

The New York Times - Travel

It will be especially cautious when dealing with the question of collective dominance".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "be especially cautious", consider specifying the reason for caution to provide clarity and context for your audience. This could involve mentioning the specific risks, uncertainties, or potential negative consequences that warrant increased vigilance.

Common error

Avoid using "be especially cautious" as a general statement without a clear and specific reason. Overusing the phrase without justification can dilute its impact and make your writing seem alarmist or lacking in substance. Always provide a concrete rationale for why extra caution is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be especially cautious" primarily functions as an imperative, urging the listener or reader to exercise increased care. As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. It acts as a directive, prompting a specific action to mitigate potential risks.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Academia

20%

Wiki

19%

Less common in

Science

8%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be especially cautious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used imperative that advises heightened vigilance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and applicability across a wide range of contexts. It is most commonly found in news and media, academic writing, and wiki articles, where it serves to warn or advise about specific risks. To enhance clarity, specify the reasons for caution. Related phrases like "exercise extra vigilance" or "take exceptional care" can be used as alternatives. Remember to avoid overuse without clear justification to maintain its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be particularly vigilant

Similar to "exercise extra vigilance", this option directly replaces "especially cautious" with "particularly vigilant", stressing watchfulness.

use increased caution

Highlights the action of using more caution compared to the normal.

exercise extra vigilance

This alternative replaces "be cautious" with a more formal term, "vigilance", emphasizing a proactive approach to being watchful.

be on high alert

Implies being in a state of readiness for potential danger or unexpected events.

take exceptional care

This phrase highlights the act of "taking care" to an exceptional degree, emphasizing careful actions.

remain extra alert

Focuses on maintaining a state of heightened alertness to promptly recognize and react to potential issues.

proceed with heightened awareness

This option emphasizes an increased level of "awareness" before acting, highlighting mindfulness of potential risks.

adopt a very careful approach

This suggests implementing a deliberate and meticulous method to minimize risk.

be extremely circumspect

Using "circumspect" implies a careful consideration of all circumstances before acting.

pay close attention

This option encourages focusing intently on details to avoid mistakes or dangers.

FAQs

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

You can use "be especially cautious" to advise someone to take extra care in a specific situation. For example: "When handling sensitive data, "be especially cautious" to prevent data breaches."

What are some alternatives to "be especially cautious"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exercise extra vigilance", "take exceptional care", or "proceed with heightened awareness", depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "be especially cautious"?

While "cautious" already implies care, adding "especially" emphasizes the heightened level of care needed. It's not necessarily redundant but reinforces the importance of vigilance in particular situations.

When is it appropriate to use "be especially cautious"?

It is appropriate when the situation involves higher-than-normal risk or uncertainty, and a greater degree of care is warranted. Examples include handling delicate equipment, navigating dangerous terrain, or dealing with sensitive information.