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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
caution should be administered
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "caution should be administered" is not correct in standard English usage.
It is not typically used in written English as "administered" is more commonly associated with medication or formal procedures rather than caution. Example: "Before proceeding with the experiment, caution should be exercised to ensure safety."
⚠ May contain grammatical issues
Science
News & Media
Wiki
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
1 human-written examples
Extreme caution should be administered.
Wiki
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
59 human-written examples
NSAIDs should be administered with caution in elderly patients.
Above this saturation level, supplemental oxygen should be administered with caution in patients potentially susceptible to adverse effects of hyperoxia.
Nonetheless, despite its awareness of the disorder, the Army's treatment regimen for G6PD-deficient soldiers was merely the issuance of "alert tags" warning that the anti-malarial drug primaquine should not be administered and that similar hemolysis-triggering drugs should be administered with caution.
News & Media
Darifenacin should be administered with caution to patients with severe hepatic impairment.
9 This drug should be administered with caution and its effect should be monitored by a physician.
Studies of interactions in patients receiving warfarin are inconclusive; therefore tamsulosin should be administered with caution in these patients.
Considering that anticholinergic drugs can worsen cognitive impairment, they should be administered with caution in elderly patients, especially in AD.
Tamsulosin should be administered with caution in combination with cimetidine due to significant (26%) decrease in the clearance of tamsulosin.
Since its use is contraindicated in older patients and in those with reduced kidney function, eight patients switched to metformin, which should be administered 'with caution'.
Science
Cisapride should be administered with caution in patients who are on any medication known to prolong QT interval and in those with renal insufficiency, a history of arrhythmia or cardiac disease.
Science
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Instead of saying "caution should be administered", opt for phrases like "exercise caution" or "take caution". These alternatives are more common and grammatically sound.
Common error
Avoid using "administered" when referring to caution or care. "Administered" typically relates to medication, treatments, or formal processes. A more appropriate word is "exercised" or "taken".
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "caution should be administered" functions as a passive construction indicating that caution is the recipient of an action. However, the use of "administered" in this context is unusual and less idiomatic than alternatives. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is not typical to use "administered" with caution.
Frequent in
Science
37%
News & Media
22%
Wiki
5%
Less common in
Academia
5%
Formal & Business
0%
Reference
0%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, while the phrase "caution should be administered" is technically understandable, it's not idiomatic or commonly used in English. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is awkward. It is more appropriate to use alternatives like "caution should be exercised" or "caution should be taken", which are grammatically sound and more widely accepted. While various sources include the phrase, a review of the contexts suggests that rephrasing would improve clarity and naturalness in writing. Using "administered" is often reserved for contexts such as medication or formal processes, making it an odd choice for describing caution.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
caution should be exercised
Replaces "administered" with the more common and grammatically sound "exercised".
caution should be taken
Substitutes "administered" with "taken", offering a more natural and widely accepted phrasing.
care should be exercised
Interchanges "caution" with "care", providing a slightly broader and less formal tone.
prudence should be applied
Replaces "caution" with "prudence", suggesting a more thoughtful and deliberate approach.
diligence should be applied
Replaces "caution" with "diligence", indicating thoroughness and attentiveness to detail.
one should proceed with caution
Rephrases the sentence to focus on the actor and their actions, adding a personal element.
one must be cautious
Simplifies the structure and uses a direct imperative, shifting the focus to the necessity of caution.
extreme care must be employed
Emphasizes a high degree of attention and precision, intensifying the sense of caution.
a cautious approach is advised
Changes the sentence to a recommendation format, emphasizing the type of approach.
circumspection is advised
Replaces "caution" with "circumspection", offering a more formal and sophisticated tone.
FAQs
What are better ways to say "caution should be administered"?
Instead of "caution should be administered", consider more common and grammatically correct phrases such as "caution should be exercised" or "caution should be taken".
Is "caution should be administered" grammatically correct?
While not strictly incorrect, "caution should be administered" is an awkward and uncommon phrasing. It's better to use phrases like "caution should be exercised" or "care should be taken".
When is it appropriate to use "administer"?
"Administer" is typically used in contexts related to giving medication, applying treatments, or managing formal processes. For instance, a doctor administers medicine, or a school administers tests. It's less suitable for abstract concepts like caution or care.
What's the difference between "caution should be administered" and "caution should be exercised"?
"Caution should be exercised" is the preferred phrasing because it's more idiomatic and grammatically standard. "Caution should be administered" sounds unnatural and is not in common use.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
80%
Authority and reliability
2.8/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested