be wise of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be wise of" is not grammatically correct and is not usable in written English.
However, you can use the phrase "wise up to" in written English, which means "to become aware of the true nature of a situation." For example, "He wised up to the fact that she was lying."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

It would be wise of Mr. Netanyahu to follow in their footsteps.

The New York Times

It would be wise of the American government to pressure China more actively to negotiate with the Dalai Lama and end human rights abuses in Tibet.

The New York Times

It seems increasingly clear that Buhari doesn't have any clever answers to Nigeria's current economic problems and it would thus be wise of him to seek advice from those who might have alternative solutions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Kroes, whose reputation for enforcing the European Union's stringent competition rules with an iron fist has earned her the nickname "Nickel Neelie" also said that it "would not be wise" of MasterCard to compensate for the loss of revenue from the fees by raising charges elsewhere.

Forbes

Be wise of your surroundings while outside of your home or safe environment.

WikiHow

(Just because she may feel overwhelmed by all the things she's noticed needing attention doesn't mean it would be wise of you to indulge her the misconception that her priorities are reasonable and/or shared by you).. Explain how you prioritize your time and defend your reasoning.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Would it be wiser of us to restrict the biological applications of quantum theory to the time-honed studies of molecular structure and intermolecular interactions only?

Biology Direct

Mr. Abramowitz said it was wise of Governor Paterson to come clean.

The New York Times

He added that it was wise of Girardi to keep Joba Chamberlain in a setup role.

The New York Times - Sports

The Global Times said it was "wise of Mo Yan to avoid talking politics".

The New York Times

It was wise of the designer to move into new categories like fur and leather.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "be wise of". Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives such as "it would be wise of someone to" or rephrase to "show wisdom in". This ensures clarity and avoids potential grammatical errors.

Common error

Don't use "be wise of" as a direct imperative, like "Be wise of your surroundings". A more appropriate construction would be "Be aware of your surroundings" or "Use your wisdom regarding your surroundings".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be wise of" is intended to function as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun, implying the application of wisdom or good judgment. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's grammatically incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

29%

Science

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "be wise of" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in English. While Ludwig identifies some instances of its use, especially in news, wiki, and science contexts, it's advisable to use grammatically sound alternatives. As Ludwig AI suggests, rephrasing using constructions like "It would be wise of someone to..." or opting for phrases such as "exercise prudence", "show good judgment", or "act thoughtfully" will improve clarity and correctness in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

show good judgment

Focuses on demonstrating the ability to make sound decisions.

behave judiciously

Similar to "show good judgment" but emphasizes a more formal and considered approach.

take a measured approach

Implies a deliberate and well-considered way of doing things.

exercise prudence

Replaces the adjective "wise" with a verb phrase emphasizing the act of being careful and judicious.

proceed carefully

Focuses on taking cautious steps to avoid mistakes or negative outcomes.

make informed decisions

Highlights the importance of having adequate knowledge before deciding.

be circumspect

Uses a single adjective to convey caution and wariness.

act thoughtfully

Emphasizes careful consideration and deliberation before acting.

demonstrate acumen

Uses a more sophisticated word to suggest keen insight and shrewdness.

display foresight

Highlights the ability to anticipate future consequences and plan accordingly.

FAQs

What are some grammatically correct alternatives to "be wise of"?

Instead of "be wise of", you can use phrases like "exercise prudence", "show good judgment", or "act thoughtfully" depending on the context.

Is "be wise of" considered grammatically correct in English?

No, the phrase "be wise of" is not grammatically correct. While it may appear in some contexts, it's generally advisable to use alternative phrasing for clarity and correctness.

How can I use the concept of "be wise of" in a sentence more effectively?

You can rephrase sentences using constructions like "It would be wise of someone to..." or "Showing wisdom in..." to convey the intended meaning with better grammatical structure.

What's a common mistake people make when trying to use "be wise of"?

A frequent error is using "be wise of" as a direct command. It's better to rephrase as "Be aware of..." or "Use your wisdom in regards to..." to create a grammatically sound sentence.