be extra cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'be extra cautious' is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it when making a warning or giving advice, such as, "Be extra cautious when driving in icy weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"You've still got to be extra cautious".

The New York Times - Sports

Be extra cautious when conducting travel and insurance searches.

The New York Times - Tech

"With this one, we want to be extra cautious".

The New York Times

"You've got to be extra cautious in the way you rush," Holmes said.

The New York Times - Sports

Meanwhile, the union is advising female flight attendants to be "extra cautious" on their layovers in Riyadh.

The New York Times

I had said that since we are in transit period, we have to be extra cautious," Mirje said.

Independent

Those driving need to slow down and be extra cautious as more people take to the roads during this period.

The New York Times - Travel

So, for example, people would stop talking about their private life at work, or be extra cautious in public spaces.

The Guardian

It has served its purpose, right there when I needed to be extra cautious, say, or to worry about a person I loved.

The New York Times

I feel confident that he won't sexually offend again now because I think he knows to stop himself and to be extra cautious.

Independent

The vehicle could monitor hundreds of pedestrians at a time, the operator said, and had been programmed to be extra cautious around them.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone about a potentially risky situation, use "be extra cautious" to emphasize the importance of careful action and awareness of potential dangers.

Common error

While "be extra cautious" is a clear warning, overuse can diminish its impact. Vary your language with synonyms like "exercise heightened caution" or "proceed with extreme care" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be extra cautious" functions primarily as an imperative, directly instructing or advising someone to exercise a heightened level of care and vigilance. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is a correct and usable expression in English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

37%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be extra cautious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for advising heightened care and vigilance. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's appropriate for various contexts, particularly those involving potential risks. Common in News & Media and Wiki sources, it serves to warn or guide individuals to act carefully. While versatile, consider synonyms like "exercise heightened caution" for varied expression. Overall, "be extra cautious" is a reliable phrase for emphasizing the importance of safety, though overuse should be avoided.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be especially careful

Replaces 'extra cautious' with 'especially careful', maintaining the core meaning with slightly different wording.

be doubly careful

Directly indicates an increased level of care needed.

proceed with extreme care

Emphasizes the manner of moving forward, highlighting the need for careful progression.

exercise heightened caution

This alternative uses more formal language and emphasizes the active application of caution.

take exceptional precautions

This phrase shifts the focus to proactive measures taken in advance to ensure safety.

remain extremely watchful

Highlights the continuous nature of the required vigilance.

be exceedingly vigilant

Replaces 'cautious' with 'vigilant', stressing the need for watchful attention.

be on high alert

Implies a state of readiness and awareness of potential danger.

adopt a safety-first approach

This alternative suggests making safety the primary consideration.

prioritize utmost safety

Emphasizes the importance of safety above all else.

FAQs

What does "be extra cautious" mean?

The phrase "be extra cautious" means to exercise a higher degree of care, attention, and vigilance than usual, typically in situations where there is an increased risk of danger or negative consequences.

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

You can use "be extra cautious" when advising someone about a potentially risky situation, such as, "Be extra cautious when driving in icy weather".

What can I say instead of "be extra cautious"?

You can use alternatives like "be especially careful", "exercise heightened caution", or "proceed with extreme care depending on the context.

Is it redundant to say "be extra extra cautious"?

Yes, while not grammatically incorrect, saying "be extra extra cautious" is generally considered redundant. The phrase "be extra cautious" already implies a heightened level of care, so adding another "extra" is unnecessary. It's better to simply /s/be+extra+cautious or choose a stronger synonym.