be wary about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be wary about" is not correct; the correct expression is "be wary of." You can use it when advising someone to be cautious or alert regarding a particular situation or subject.
Example: "You should be wary of making hasty decisions without considering all the facts."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some people might be wary about directing their wife.

The Guardian - Film

"It causes us to be wary about our future".

The New York Times

Yet SMEs should be wary about losing perspective, he insists.

The Guardian

So, there is reason to be wary about taking niacin to lower triglyceride levels.

Harvard University

Be wary about performance if you use NURBS in OpenGL; use them judiciously.

Stanford University

That hubris, coupled with the macroeconomic imbalances, are good reasons to be wary about Turkey's prospects.

The Economist

Therefore, one needs to be wary about over-interpreting these results.

The New York Times

A lawyer advises employers to be wary about telling employees how to vote.

The New York Times

Even if she does not run, Palin Inc. may be wary about her audience.

The New York Times

Be wary about signing up to something that seems too good to be true.

The Guardian

Mr. Smith said people should be wary about opening attachments that come with unsolicited electronic messages.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the tone of your writing; while "be wary about" is prevalent in informal contexts, opting for "be cautious of" or similar alternatives can enhance professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "be wary about" in formal documents or academic papers; consistently choose "be wary of" to maintain grammatical correctness. While the error is frequent it is still an error.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be wary about" functions as a directive, urging caution or vigilance towards something. Despite Ludwig AI indicating its grammatical incorrectness, the plentiful examples demonstrate its common usage, especially in informal settings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "be wary about" is widely used across various contexts, including News & Media and Wiki sources, it is grammatically incorrect. Ludwig AI highlights that the correct form is "be wary of". Despite its common occurrence, especially in informal communication, adhering to standard English grammar necessitates using "be wary of" in formal and academic writing. Alternatives such as "be cautious of" and "be careful about" are also suitable depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cautious of

Replaces "about" with "of", correcting the grammatical error while maintaining the meaning.

be careful about

Uses "careful" instead of "wary", offering a more common and less formal alternative.

exercise caution regarding

Introduces a more formal tone, suitable for professional contexts.

remain vigilant concerning

Emphasizes continuous watchfulness and a heightened sense of alert.

stay alert to

Focuses on remaining attentive to potential dangers or issues.

pay attention to

Highlights the need to give something close observation, indicating awareness.

bear in mind

Stresses the importance of remembering or considering certain information.

think twice about

Suggests careful reconsideration before acting.

take heed of

Implies paying close attention to warnings or advice.

be on the lookout for

Directs focus to actively searching for potential threats or problems.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "be wary about"?

According to standard English grammar, the correct phrase is "be wary of". However, "be wary about" is commonly used, especially in informal contexts. While understandable, it's technically incorrect.

What does "be wary of" mean?

The phrase "be wary of" means to be cautious or careful because you suspect something might be dangerous or cause problems. It advises a state of alertness and prudence.

Which is the correct phrase: "be wary about" or "be wary of"?

The grammatically correct phrase is "be wary of". While "be wary about" is frequently used, it is considered non-standard. For formal writing, always choose "be wary of".

What are some alternatives to "be wary of"?

Some alternatives include "be cautious of", "be careful about", "exercise caution regarding", and "remain vigilant concerning", depending on the level of formality and the specific nuance you want to convey.