be watchful about

USAGE SUMMARY

"be watchful about" is correct and usable in written English.
This phrase is typically used to advise someone to be cautious and alert about a situation. For example: - "Be watchful about locking your doors at night." - "We need to be watchful about our spending habits to save money." - "Please be watchful about potential hazards on the job site." - "As a parent, it's important to be watchful about your child's online activities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

She does, however, have to be watchful about her involvement.

Independent

"Still there's plenty to be watchful about with respect to the consumer".

The New York Times

"I think you have to be watchful about it," Mr. Yudof said.

The New York Times

What we should be watchful about in the coming days is continued rhetoric suggesting the judiciary is not acting in a neutral, nonpartisan fashion.

The New York Times

And because the international wholesaler picks up the freight, they tend to be watchful about ordering too many copies, so the amount of unsold copies will frequently be lower than they are in domestic channels.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

For nearly his entire Wall Street career, Mr. Olstein has been watchful about accounting irregularities.

The New York Times

We have to be watchful.

The Guardian - Business

I quickly learned to be watchful.

The Guardian

In England you have to be watchful.

The Guardian - Sport

Mr. Dubey still makes it a point to be watchful.

The New York Times

The public must be watchful and alert," he added.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "be watchful about" when you want to advise someone to pay close attention to something because it might be dangerous or cause problems.

Common error

While "be watchful about" is perfectly acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "be vigilant about" or "exercise caution regarding" in academic or professional contexts for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be watchful about" functions as an adjective phrase followed by a preposition. It acts as a directive, advising caution or vigilance regarding a specific concern or potential danger. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "be watchful about" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase that serves to advise caution and vigilance. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceedingly common, it appears in reputable sources like The New York Times and The Guardian. It is suitable for general communication and news reporting, though more formal alternatives may be preferred in academic or professional settings. Remember to use "be watchful about" when you want someone to pay close attention to a potential danger or problem, and be mindful of the context to choose the most appropriate wording. Consider using synonyms like "be vigilant about" or "be cautious about" for variety and depending on the desired tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be vigilant about

Emphasizes a higher degree of alertness and attentiveness.

be cautious about

Focuses on avoiding potential dangers or problems.

be careful about

A more general term for taking precautions.

pay attention to

Highlights the act of focusing on something specific.

keep an eye on

Suggests monitoring something or someone closely.

be alert to

Implies readiness to respond to potential issues.

be aware of

Focuses on having knowledge of something.

be mindful of

Highlights the importance of being conscious of something.

take heed of

Emphasizes the importance of paying attention to advice or warnings.

be circumspect about

Suggests careful consideration and prudence.

FAQs

How to use "be watchful about" in a sentence?

You can use "be watchful about" to advise someone to pay close attention to something that could cause harm or problems. For example, "Be watchful about strangers approaching you" or "We need to be watchful about our spending."

What can I say instead of "be watchful about"?

You can use alternatives like "be vigilant about", "be cautious about", or "be careful about" depending on the context.

Is "be watchful about" formal or informal?

"Be watchful about" is generally considered neutral, suitable for both everyday conversation and news reporting. For more formal contexts, "be vigilant about" may be preferred.

What's the difference between "be watchful about" and "be aware of"?

"Be watchful about" implies a need for vigilance and potential danger, while "be aware of" simply means having knowledge of something. You'd "be watchful about" a potential scam, but "be aware of" traffic regulations.