cautionary remark

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cautionary remark" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to provide a warning or advice about a potential risk or issue. Example: "Before we proceed with the project, I would like to make a cautionary remark regarding the budget constraints we are facing."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Yet despite the near-proverbial status of the cautionary remark "Writing about music is like dancing about architecture"—generally attributed to Thelonious Monk the compulsion to pin down the magic of rock showed no sign of abating.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In closing this essay, a cautionary remark is in order, however: all of the preceding accounts are simply a heuristic way of conceptually articulating Zen philosophy.

SEP

What lies behind this vague but cautionary remark appears to be closely related to a set of issues already remarked, issues which are developed in the contemporary work of prominent logicians and semanticists.

SEP

Finally, a cautionary remark seems mandatory.

Plosone

Finally, we want to make a cautionary remark on diving safety.

BMC Ecology

Finally, a cautionary remark is necessary, i.e. a "large data set" can still be sparse and hence "large" should be interpreted with some caution.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In the first section, we clarify the notion of a common property management regime and provide cautionary remarks about estimation methodologies commonly used.

Handbook of Environmental Economics

The cautionary remarks on Greece reflect the increasingly nervous mood worldwide of stock market investors and policy makers, who are concerned that the Greek debt crisis could spread.

The New York Times

Today, the Dow sagged against the backdrop of Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan's cautionary remarks to the Senate's banking committee.

Forbes

Meanwhile, the Dow Jones Industrial Average sagged against the backdrop of Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspans cautionary remarks to the Senates banking committee.

Forbes

So far this week, the market has simply shrugged off Clinton's impeachment trial, cracks in Brazil's fiscal stability and cautionary remarks by leading Fed members.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cautionary remark" to introduce an element of doubt or uncertainty, prompting careful consideration of potential negative consequences. This sets a tone of measured analysis rather than outright alarm.

Common error

Avoid using "cautionary remark" when the warning is glaringly obvious. This can make your writing sound patronizing or redundant. Instead, reserve it for situations where the risk is subtle or easily overlooked.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautionary remark" functions as a discourse marker, specifically used to signal an impending warning or advisory statement. It serves to alert the audience that what follows is meant to be taken with careful consideration. Ludwig AI shows it is typically used in academic, scientific, and news contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

52%

News & Media

28%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cautionary remark" is a grammatically correct and useful phrase for introducing a warning or piece of advice, according to Ludwig AI. It functions as a discourse marker to alert the audience to potential risks or limitations. While not extremely common, it is frequently found in science, news, and academic contexts, lending a neutral to formal tone. Alternatives like "warning statement" or "advisory note" can be used depending on the context. Use it thoughtfully to introduce an element of doubt, encouraging careful consideration without causing undue alarm. The examples from Ludwig show that this usage is standard and acceptable across several domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warning statement

Focuses on delivering a direct warning.

word of caution

Emphasizes the warning aspect in a more informal tone.

advisory note

Emphasizes providing guidance or advice.

note of warning

Highlights the presence of a potential danger.

forewarning

Focuses on warning in advance.

caveat

Highlights a specific condition or limitation.

precautionary statement

Highlights the preventative measure.

proviso

Introduces a specific condition or stipulation.

disclaimer

Focuses on denying responsibility or association.

qualifying statement

Highlights the act of adding conditions or limitations to a previous statement.

FAQs

How can I use "cautionary remark" in a sentence?

You can use "cautionary remark" to introduce a warning or advice about a potential risk. For example: "Before we proceed, I'd like to make a cautionary remark about the potential budget overruns."

What can I say instead of "cautionary remark"?

You can use alternatives like "warning statement", "advisory note", or "word of caution" depending on the context.

What is the difference between "cautionary remark" and "warning"?

"Cautionary remark" is often used to introduce a more considered and nuanced warning, whereas "warning" is a more direct and immediate expression of potential danger.

Is "cautionary remark" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "cautionary remark" is suitable for formal writing. It provides a professional and thoughtful way to introduce potential issues or risks without sounding overly alarming.