become cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "become cautious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a change in someone's behavior or attitude towards being more careful or wary in a situation. Example: "After the recent incident, she decided to become cautious about sharing personal information online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

"We've become cautious the last few weeks," he said.

The New York Times

They've become cautious, reluctant to speak or act for fear of muddying the truth again.

The New York Times - Books

When it falls to less than 0.95, he said, the managers become cautious.

The New York Times

Investors may become cautious, and reduce the value they attach to the acquisition machine's stock.

The New York Times

They have already become cautious because of higher food and energy prices.

The New York Times

Traders and investors normally become cautious in advance of such reports.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"We became cautious.

The New York Times - Sports

Social workers became cautious about what they documented.

The Guardian - Opinion

"He became cautious and conservative, in order not to make errors.

The New Yorker

As it swelled to more than 1,500 employees, it became cautious, political and bloated, Mr. Kapur said.

The New York Times - Tech

He became cautious and would look like he was on edge and afraid".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "become cautious", consider the context. Is it a gradual shift or a sudden reaction? Choose synonyms like "grow wary" for gradual changes, or "turn circumspect" for more immediate reactions.

Common error

Avoid repetitive use of "become cautious" in close proximity. Vary your language by using alternatives like "start to be careful" or "take a more guarded approach" to maintain reader engagement and clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "become cautious" functions as a verb phrase, indicating a change in behavior or attitude. It describes the act of transitioning to a state of increased care or wariness. Ludwig's examples showcase its use in various contexts, typically following a situation or event that prompts this change.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

17%

Wiki

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "become cautious" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe a transition to a more careful or wary state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, especially in News & Media and Science. While the phrase is generally suitable, it's important to consider context, and varying language by using alternatives like "grow wary" or "start to be careful" is beneficial. The usage patterns indicate its prevalence in news and media, reflecting real-world scenarios where increased caution is often reported. Therefore, understanding its nuances and employing it appropriately can enhance clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

grow wary

Indicates a gradual development of suspicion or distrust, leading to caution.

start to be careful

Emphasizes the initiation of careful behavior or decision-making.

develop prudence

Highlights the growth of wisdom and carefulness in handling practical matters.

turn circumspect

Suggests a shift towards being more unwilling to take risks.

adopt a watchful stance

Implies a deliberate choice to be observant and careful.

take a more guarded approach

Emphasizes protecting oneself through careful actions.

start exercising restraint

Focuses on controlling impulses and being more careful in actions.

become more vigilant

Indicates an increase in attentiveness to potential dangers or problems.

begin to tread lightly

Implies proceeding carefully to avoid causing problems.

acquire a sense of foreboding

Suggests developing a feeling that something bad is going to happen, leading to caution.

FAQs

How can I use "become cautious" in a sentence?

You can use "become cautious" to describe a change in someone's behavior toward being more careful. For example: "After the incident, investors "become cautious" about new projects."

What can I say instead of "become cautious"?

You can use alternatives like "grow wary", "start to be careful", or "develop prudence" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "become cautious" and "is cautious"?

"Become cautious" describes a change in state, while "is cautious" describes a current state. For example, "He "become cautious" after the accident" (change), vs. "He "is cautious" because of his experience" (current state).

Is it better to say "become cautious" or "became cautious"?

The choice depends on the tense of your sentence. Use "become cautious" for present or future tense and "became cautious" for past tense. For example, "They will "become cautious"" (future) versus "They "became cautious"" (past).