caution against

USAGE SUMMARY

"caution against" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase in written English that means to warn someone about possible danger or risks.
For example, "The doctor cautioned against going out in cold weather without a jacket."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Researchers caution against euphoria.

Harvard University

But caution against what?

The New Yorker

And others caution against alarmism.

The New York Times - Food

Yet etiquette experts caution against overdoing it.

The New York Times

I also caution against this attitude.

The New York Times

The authors caution against drawing hasty conclusions.

The Economist

Currently, many government agencies caution against tanning.

Harvard University

But I would caution against over familiarity.

The Guardian

But analysts caution against being too optimistic.

The Washington Post

"We would caution against this optimism.

The Guardian - Business

But the president's advisers caution against it.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caution against", clearly state the potential negative consequences or risks involved to make the advice more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "caution against" without specifying what the caution is for. Be specific about the potential risks or downsides to provide actionable advice.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caution against" primarily functions as a verb phrase that introduces a warning or piece of advice. It is used to indicate that a particular action or belief should be approached with care due to potential risks or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caution against" is a commonly used phrase that serves to advise or warn about potential risks or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely employed across various contexts, including News & Media, Academia, and Science. While alternatives such as "warn against" or "advise against" exist, "caution against" maintains a neutral register and is best used with a clear explanation of the potential downsides being cautioned against. The phrase is very common and can be improved by stating the potential negative consequences or risks involved to make the advice more impactful.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warn against

More direct and forceful in conveying potential danger.

advise against

More formal and suggests a reasoned opinion.

dissuade from

Emphasizes persuading someone not to do something.

discourage from

Focuses on reducing someone's enthusiasm for something.

urge to avoid

Highlights the importance of staying away from something.

recommend against

Suggests that something is not advisable based on experience or knowledge.

counsel against

Implies providing professional advice to avoid something.

alert to the dangers of

Focuses on making someone aware of specific dangers.

flag the risks of

Highlights the potential risks associated with something.

raise concerns about

Expresses worry or apprehension about potential negative outcomes.

FAQs

How can I use "caution against" in a sentence?

You can use "caution against" to advise someone to avoid a particular action or situation due to potential risks. For example, "Experts "caution against" overdoing it" or "Analysts "caution against" assigning blame before authorities complete their investigation."

What are some alternatives to "caution against"?

Alternatives include "warn against", "advise against", or "dissuade from", depending on the specific context and level of concern you want to express.

When is it appropriate to use "caution against" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "caution against" when you want to advise someone to be careful and avoid a specific action or situation because it could lead to negative consequences. It is common in news reports, academic papers, and professional advice.

Is there a difference between "caution against" and "warn against"?

While both phrases advise avoiding something, "warn against" often implies a more imminent or serious danger, while "caution against" can suggest a more general risk or potential negative outcome. You might "warn against" touching a hot stove, but "caution against" investing all your money in a single stock.