be leery of

USAGE SUMMARY

"be leery of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It means to be cautious or suspicious of something or someone. Example: "I would advise you to be leery of that new employee. She seems nice, but I have a feeling she may be up to something."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But investors can be leery of commercial social ventures.

The New York Times

Other companies may be leery of legal action.

The New York Times

It is a concept they should be leery of trumpeting.

The New York Times

If it's just a personal training certification, I'd be leery of taking the information from them.

The New York Times - Sports

Teams looking to sign Colston should be leery of his price tag.

The New York Times

Some advocates of an independent process professed to be leery of compromise.

The New York Times

But Mr. Cooper may be leery of appearing to force out Mr. Lauer.

The New York Times

As a child, I had been taught, in subtle ways, to be leery of the police.

The New York Times

"Be leery of putting more gunfighters out on the streets of the Wild West," he said.

The New Yorker

If I owned a club, I would be leery of paying for Anaheim's Mo Vaughn.

The New York Times - Sports

I tell her it's strange that someone with her background should be leery of the spotlight.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be leery of", clearly state the reason for your caution to provide context and avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of just saying "Be leery of the offer", specify "Be leery of the offer because it seems too good to be true".

Common error

While grammatically correct, "be leery of" can sound overly formal or stiff in casual conversation. In informal situations, consider using more relaxed alternatives like "be careful about" or "watch out for".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be leery of" functions as a directive, advising caution or suspicion towards a particular subject. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase is commonly used to warn about potential risks or untrustworthy situations, urging the listener or reader to proceed with care.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

12%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be leery of" is a verb phrase used to express caution or suspicion, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While versatile, it's important to provide context when using the phrase and to consider using less formal alternatives in casual settings. The phrase implies a negative connotation, suggesting a potential for harm or deception. Ludwig's examples illustrate its widespread use in warning against various risks, making it a valuable tool for clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be wary of

Emphasizes caution and alertness to potential dangers or problems, similar to "be leery of".

be suspicious of

Focuses on doubting the trustworthiness of someone or something, similar to a facet of "be leery of".

be cautious of

Highlights the need for careful consideration to avoid risks, sharing the careful aspect of "be leery of".

be chary of

Stresses reluctance to grant or expend something, often used for trust or affection, a specific instance of being wary.

distrust

Expresses a lack of confidence or faith in someone or something.

view with suspicion

Indicates a skeptical or doubtful attitude towards something.

have reservations about

Suggests having doubts or concerns regarding something.

think twice about

Advises careful reconsideration before taking action.

question the validity of

Highlights the act of doubting or challenging the truth or accuracy of something.

take with a grain of salt

Suggests not accepting something at face value, implying a need for skepticism.

FAQs

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

You can use "be leery of" to express caution or suspicion towards something. For instance, "Consumers should "be leery of" products with unsubstantiated health claims" or "I would "be leery of" investing in that company without further research".

What are some alternatives to "be leery of"?

Alternatives to "be leery of" include "be wary of", "be cautious of", "be suspicious of", or "distrust", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "leery" a positive or negative word?

"Leery" generally has a negative connotation, implying a sense of distrust, suspicion, or caution towards something that might be harmful or unreliable.

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

"Be leery of" implies a sense of suspicion or distrust, suggesting you believe something might be deceptive or unreliable. "Be careful of" is more general, indicating a need for caution to avoid potential harm or mistakes. Therefore, if you are suspicious of being scammed you will "be leery of" the person offering the deal, but when you drive on a curvy road you will "be careful of" the curves and avoid falling down a cliff.