beware of

USAGE SUMMARY

"beware of" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to alert people to potential risks or warnings. For example, "Beware of pickpockets in busy tourist areas."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Beware of street scams!

The New York Times

Beware of outside influences.

The New York Times

What to beware of?

Forbes

Beware of hot hands.

Forbes

Beware of perfectionism.

Science Magazine

Beware of punditry.

Forbes

Beware of Kaufman.

Los Angeles Times

Beware of optimising too early.

GigaScience

Beware of rumors.

WikiHow

Beware of strangers.

WikiHow

Beware of TDI haters.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "beware of" to clearly and directly warn your audience about potential dangers, scams, or negative consequences. Ensure the object of the warning is specific and easily understood.

Common error

While "beware of" is universally understood, it can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual settings. Opt for alternatives like "watch out for" or "be careful of" in informal communication to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "beware of" functions as an imperative expression used to issue a warning or caution. It alerts individuals to potential dangers or risks, prompting them to exercise vigilance. Ludwig provides various examples in diverse contexts, illustrating its widespread use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

48%

News & Media

30%

Science

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "beware of" is a universally understood warning used to alert individuals to potential dangers or risks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in diverse contexts, ranging from formal news articles to informal how-to guides. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to consider the tone and choose alternatives like "watch out for" or "be cautious of" in very casual settings. As showcased by Ludwig's examples, understanding the specific context and target audience is key to effectively using this cautionary phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

be cautious of

Replaces "beware" with a more moderate term, indicating a general need for care and attention.

be wary of

Emphasizes a sense of distrust or suspicion, suggesting a need to be alert to potential deception.

watch out for

A more informal and direct way to warn someone about an imminent danger or threat.

be on your guard against

Suggests a state of readiness and vigilance against a specific threat or problem.

take heed of

Implies paying close attention to a warning or piece of advice to avoid negative consequences.

be mindful of

Highlights the importance of being aware of something, especially potential risks or negative impacts.

exercise caution regarding

A more formal way to advise someone to be careful and avoid unnecessary risks.

stay alert to

Encourages maintaining a high level of awareness to notice and respond to potential dangers.

keep an eye out for

Similar to "watch out for", but emphasizes active observation and vigilance.

be vigilant about

Stresses the need for constant and careful attention to detect and prevent potential problems.

FAQs

How to use "beware of" in a sentence?

Use "beware of" to warn about potential dangers or risks. For example, "Beware of scams!" or "Beware of strangers."

What can I say instead of "beware of"?

You can use alternatives like "be cautious of", "watch out for", or "be wary of" depending on the context.

Is "beware of" formal or informal?

"Beware of" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. In very casual contexts, phrases like "watch out for" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "beware of" and "be careful of"?

"Beware of" often implies a more significant or imminent danger compared to "be careful of", which suggests a more general need for caution.