be vigilant of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be vigilant of" is not commonly used in standard written English; the more appropriate expression is "be vigilant about" or "be vigilant for." You can use it when advising someone to remain alert or watchful regarding a specific issue or situation.
Example: "You should be vigilant of any changes in the weather while hiking in the mountains."

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

25 human-written examples

But we will be vigilant of the risk.

The Guardian - Business

A word of warning too: be vigilant of scams, warns Barbara Ashcroft, QMUL's housing services manager.

Independent

He said: We will be vigilant of the risk of a bubble.

The Guardian - Business

"Investors must, of course, be vigilant of the Black Monday events and what has led to them.

Independent

All banks and building societies have been alerted and the public has been told to be vigilant of raids on their bank accounts.

The Guardian

And, although it may be a dream to gaze upon the Iron Throne, one must be vigilant of many eyes and whisperers in King's Landing, so to avoid being mistaken as a serious contender in the Game of Thrones.

Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

"We are determined to be vigilant on any infringements of this nature," he said.

The New York Times

Occupy your mind with being vigilant of the oppression around you.

The Guardian

That is in addition to being vigilant of the many other kinds of phishing emails you may get every day.

TechCrunch

We're vigilant, of course, for that illusion to shatter.

Huffington Post

Global health leaders failed by not taking action, and we as researchers and activists failed by not being vigilant of the impending crisis and not putting pressure on these leaders of our community.

BMC Health Services Research

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

While "be vigilant of" is acceptable, consider using "be vigilant about" or "be vigilant for" for a more natural and common phrasing in contemporary English writing.

Common error

Avoid relying heavily on "be vigilant of" in formal writing. While grammatically sound, it can sound slightly awkward. Opt for alternatives like "be aware of" or "remain alert to" for a smoother, more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be vigilant of" primarily functions as a directive, urging someone to remain alert and watchful. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable but not the most preferred choice, suggesting a need for careful consideration of context.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

36%

Wiki

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be vigilant of" is a phrase used to advise someone to be watchful and alert, primarily to avoid potential dangers or negative outcomes. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig suggests considering alternatives like "be vigilant about" or "be aware of" for more natural-sounding English. Its usage is common across various contexts, including news, science, and general advice, though it may be better suited for neutral to formal settings. When writing, remember to consider the specific context and audience to choose the most appropriate and impactful phrasing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be careful of

This is a more general and common way to express caution.

be watchful of

Focuses on observing and monitoring, suggesting a slightly more active form of vigilance.

be alert to

Emphasizes quick recognition and responsiveness to potential dangers or changes.

be aware of

Highlights the importance of having knowledge or perception of something.

be mindful of

Implies a conscious consideration or attentiveness to something.

pay attention to

A more direct and straightforward way of urging someone to focus on something.

keep an eye on

Suggests a continuous and careful observation over a period of time.

be on the lookout for

Specifies actively searching for something, often something specific or anticipated.

exercise caution regarding

A more formal way to advise carefulness and prudence.

take heed of

Emphasizes the importance of considering and acting upon advice or warnings.

FAQs

What does "be vigilant of" mean?

The phrase "be vigilant of" means to be attentively watchful and alert in order to avoid potential danger, problems, or undesirable situations. A similar expression is "be aware of".

What can I say instead of "be vigilant of"?

You can use alternatives like "be careful of", "be watchful of", or "be alert to" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "be vigilant of" or "be vigilant about"?

While "be vigilant of" is grammatically acceptable, "be vigilant about" is generally considered more natural and common in modern English. Therefore, using "be vigilant about" is often preferable.

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

You can use "be vigilant of" to advise someone to pay close attention to something. For example, "You should "be vigilant of" any changes in your surroundings while walking alone at night."