caution should be exercised

USAGE SUMMARY

'caution should be exercised' is an appropriate phrase to include in written English.
You can use it when you want to advise someone to be mindful or to take care in a certain situation. For example, "Given the situation, caution should be exercised when making any decisions".

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I think the Chinese supervisors have drawn the lessons, but caution should be exercised.

The New York Times

Extreme caution should be exercised before proclaiming the new food of the moment.

The New York Times - Magazine

If treated as primary target, caution should be exercised.

Research in Developmental Disabilities

Caution should be exercised when using VED as a design parameter for SLM.

Materials & Design

Caution should be exercised when averaging these parameters over time and space.

Coastal Engineering

Although mobile-based CMI offers an innovative mechanism to deliver medication information, caution should be exercised.

Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy

Extreme caution should be exercised in the sump design, particularly as it relates to inlet conditions.

Pumping Station Design

In light of this, caution should be exercised in interpreting the results.

IZA Journal of Labor Economics

Caution should be exercised as excessive use of triptans can cause medication overuse headache syndrome.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Nevertheless, caution should be exercised when using the non-injured leg as a reference measure.

Sports Medicine - Open

Several suggestions are provided and areas where caution should be exercised are highlighted.

Insights into Imaging

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing potentially sensitive topics or situations with uncertain outcomes, use "caution should be exercised" to advise careful and thoughtful consideration before action.

Common error

While grammatically correct, overuse of passive constructions like "caution should be exercised" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or detached. Consider active voice alternatives such as "exercise caution" to create a more direct and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "caution should be exercised" serves as an advisory expression, guiding individuals or entities to approach a situation with mindfulness and care. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples across various domains, confirming its widespread applicability as a standard advisory.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

14%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "caution should be exercised" is a grammatically correct and widely used phrase, as supported by Ludwig AI, intended to advise careful consideration in potentially risky or uncertain situations. Its formal tone makes it suitable for academic, scientific, and professional contexts. While it is frequently used, writers should be mindful of overuse and consider more direct alternatives for a more engaging tone. The phrase appears most frequently in scientific contexts, followed by news and media. Understanding these nuances will enable more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

care should be taken

Replaces "caution" with "care" and uses the verb "taken" instead of "exercised", slightly altering the tone but maintaining the core meaning.

prudence should be observed

Substitutes "caution" with "prudence" and "exercised" with "observed", lending a more formal and observant tone.

discretion is advised

Uses a different structure, focusing on advising discretion rather than exercising caution, making it more direct.

vigilance is necessary

Highlights the necessity of vigilance, shifting the focus to active watchfulness instead of just caution.

mindfulness is recommended

Emphasizes the importance of being mindful, suggesting a proactive approach to careful consideration.

a careful approach is needed

Focuses on the need for a careful approach, changing the structure to highlight the method rather than the action.

circumspection is required

Emphasizes the necessity of circumspection, highlighting thoroughness and attention to detail.

heedfulness is important

Highlights the importance of being heedful, drawing attention to attentiveness and consideration.

a watchful eye should be kept

Focuses on maintaining a watchful eye, emphasizing observation and awareness.

wariness is warranted

Indicates that wariness is justified, suggesting a need for caution due to potential risks.

FAQs

How can I use "caution should be exercised" in a sentence?

You can use "caution should be exercised" to advise careful consideration, as in, "When investing in new markets, "caution should be exercised" to avoid potential risks".

What are some alternatives to "caution should be exercised"?

Alternatives include "care should be taken", "prudence should be observed", or "discretion is advised", depending on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it better to say "exercise caution" or "caution should be exercised"?

"Exercise caution" is more direct and active, while "caution should be exercised" is more formal and passive. The best choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

In what situations is it most appropriate to use "caution should be exercised"?

It is most appropriate in formal or serious contexts where a deliberate and thoughtful approach is crucial, such as in legal documents, scientific reports, or business strategies.