caution must be exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "caution must be exercised" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It means that one must be careful and take necessary precautions in a specific situation. Example: "Before attempting to climb the steep and rocky mountain, caution must be exercised to ensure the safety of all hikers."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Similarly the glut of shiny fabrics and plasticky PVC stuff – caution must be exercised.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But caution must be exercised before we can definitively say that Ober-See lacks stromatolites.

The New York Times

Caution must be exercised here.

International Journal of Emergency Medicine

Caution must be exercised here, however.

SEP

Caution must be exercised in interpreting the infrared reflectogram.

Heritage Science

Caution must be exercised with use of metoclopramide.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

In America, caution must be exercised while royal name dropping.

Forbes

Extreme caution must be exercised in designing studies of XRT dose intensification with concurrent chemotherapy.

Seminars in Oncology

Secondly, caution must be exercised in extrapolating from insights in rodent models to the clinical situation.

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Therefore, caution must be exercised in interpreting the results in those with dual pathologies.

EJNMMI Research

However, caution must be exercised when using digitized data, as values cannot be precisely determined.

Earth, Planets and Space

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "caution must be exercised", clearly state the specific area or action where caution is needed. This provides context and prevents ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "caution must be exercised" as a generic filler. Ensure it's tied to a specific risk or potential problem. Overusing it weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caution must be exercised" serves as a directive, urging careful consideration and proactive measures to mitigate potential risks. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and commonly used. The examples provided by Ludwig, highlight usage in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

73%

News & Media

12%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "caution must be exercised" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, that advises careful consideration and proactive measures to avoid potential risks. Predominantly found in scientific and formal contexts, it serves as a directive to encourage a responsible and circumspect approach. Alternative phrases like "care should be taken" or "prudence is required" can be used for similar effect, though they may vary slightly in tone or emphasis. When employing this phrase, ensure that the area needing caution is clearly specified to enhance clarity and avoid overuse in general statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

care should be taken

Replaces "caution" with "care" and alters the verb tense, but maintains the core meaning of needing to be careful.

a cautious approach is advised

Directly replaces "caution must be exercised" with a more direct adjective approach.

prudence is required

Uses a more formal tone by employing "prudence" and "is required" instead of "caution" and "must be exercised".

vigilance is necessary

Emphasizes watchfulness and alertness using "vigilance" instead of caution.

circumspection is paramount

Highlights that circumspection is the dominant factor instead of only needing to be exercised

one must be circumspect

Replaces the entire phrase with a single adjective implying careful consideration of all circumstances.

heedfulness is important

Highlights that heedfulness is the dominant factor instead of only needing to be exercised

discretion is advised

Suggests using good judgment and avoiding unnecessary risks, shifting the focus slightly from general caution to specific discernment.

due diligence is essential

Highlights the need for thorough investigation and careful consideration before acting, particularly in business or legal contexts.

a measured approach is needed

Focuses on the method, advocating for a careful and deliberate strategy.

FAQs

What does "caution must be exercised" mean?

The phrase "caution must be exercised" means that one should be careful and take necessary precautions in a particular situation to avoid potential risks or negative consequences.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "caution must be exercised"?

It's appropriate to use "caution must be exercised" when there's a potential danger, risk, or uncertainty involved in a situation, and careful consideration and action are needed to mitigate those risks.

What are some alternative phrases to "caution must be exercised"?

You can use alternatives such as "care should be taken", "prudence is required", or "vigilance is necessary" depending on the specific context.

Is "caution must be exerted" interchangeable with "caution must be exercised"?

While similar, "caution must be exerted" and "caution must be exercised" aren't perfectly interchangeable. "Exercised" implies a more deliberate and active application of caution, whereas "exerted" suggests applying effort to maintain caution. In most contexts, "caution must be exercised" is the more common and appropriate choice.