be vigilant for

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be vigilant for" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to remain alert or watchful for something specific, often in contexts related to safety or awareness. Example: "During the storm, residents were advised to be vigilant for any signs of flooding in their area."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But shareholders should be vigilant for accounting gimmicks regardless.

The New York Times

We've got be vigilant for a number of more weeks".

The New York Times

"You have to be vigilant for your taxpayers".

The New York Times

I once had to be vigilant for fear that people would find out what I am.

The New York Times

We must all be vigilant for anything out of the ordinary.

The Guardian

"That's the danger of the Olympics, and we'll all be vigilant for those things in Athens.

The New York Times - Sports

"They should be vigilant for the signs of FGM such as frequent toilet visits and pain whilst sitting down.

BBC

Now I have to be vigilant for fear that I will be discriminated against for what I am.

The New York Times

The F.E.C. must also be vigilant for what inevitably will be fresh attempts to mislead voters with fresh lies.

The New York Times

Medical crises will inevitably arise; the child must be vigilant for a hospital's bad habits when caring for elderly patients.

The New York Times - Health

They were cautioned by the Parliament's security office to be vigilant for strange objects near their homes.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be vigilant for", clearly specify what the subject should be watching out for to ensure the advice is actionable and easily understood. For instance, instead of saying "be vigilant", specify "be vigilant for signs of a potential scam".

Common error

Avoid using "be vigilant for" when the context requires active intervention rather than passive observation. For example, instead of saying "be vigilant for the problem", which suggests passively waiting for something to happen, say "address the problem promptly", which suggests taking action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be vigilant for" functions as an imperative phrase, urging someone to maintain heightened awareness and attentiveness towards a specific potential threat, symptom, or sign. Ludwig examples show this usage across various domains, like health and security.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

38%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

3%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be vigilant for" is a commonly used and grammatically correct imperative phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance across various domains. Primarily functioning to advise, warn, or instruct, it urges heightened awareness and attentiveness towards specific potential issues, risks, or symptoms. Its register is generally neutral making it suitable for formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by specifying exactly what the audience needs to watch for.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain alert for

Emphasizes continuous alertness; more direct.

stay watchful for

Highlights maintaining a careful watch; slightly more formal.

keep an eye out for

Suggests casually watching for something; more informal.

be on the lookout for

Similar to 'keep an eye out' but can imply a more active search.

watch carefully for

Highlights careful observation; slightly emphasizes the attention to detail.

be attentive to

Focuses on paying close attention; slightly more formal and general.

exercise caution regarding

Implies taking precautionary measures in addition to watching; more formal.

be aware of

Highlights consciousness and knowledge; less focused on active watching.

monitor closely for

Suggests continuous and detailed tracking; more suited for technical contexts.

be on guard against

Implies preparing for potential threats; more defensive.

FAQs

What does "be vigilant for" mean?

The phrase "be vigilant for" means to be keenly watchful or alert to possible dangers, difficulties, or warning signs. It implies a state of readiness and attentiveness to specific issues or threats.

How can I use "be vigilant for" in a sentence?

You can use "be vigilant for" to advise someone to watch out for something. For example: "During flu season, "be vigilant for" symptoms like fever and cough." This tells people to pay close attention to those symptoms.

What are some alternatives to "be vigilant for"?

Alternatives to "be vigilant for" include "remain alert for", "keep an eye out for", or "be on the lookout for", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it better to say "be vigilant of" or "be vigilant for"?

The correct phrasing is "be vigilant for". While "vigilant of" might sound similar, "be vigilant for" is the idiomatic and grammatically accepted form to express watchfulness or alertness towards something.