cautioned against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cautioned against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to avoid a particular action or behavior due to potential risks or negative consequences. Example: "The doctor cautioned against excessive sun exposure to prevent skin damage."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Mr. Espenshade cautioned against jumping to conclusions.

The New York Times

The judge cautioned against future outbursts.

The New York Times

Still, Jaworski cautioned against expecting too much.

The New York Times - Sports

Researchers on Wednesday cautioned against false hope.

The New York Times - Health

Mr. Monti cautioned against that, too.

The New York Times

Gilbert cautioned against setting expectations too high.

The New York Times - Sports

Analysts also cautioned against broad extrapolation.

The New York Times

But Bettman cautioned against connecting any dots.

The New York Times - Sports

Agassi cautioned against vilifying Kyrgios.

The New Yorker

Some particularly cautioned against it.

The New York Times - Food

But these coaches cautioned against that.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cautioned against", clearly state the potential negative consequences of the action being cautioned against to enhance clarity and impact. For example, "The doctor cautioned against excessive exercise without proper hydration to prevent muscle cramps and dehydration."

Common error

While "cautioned against" is grammatically correct, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations. Opt for simpler alternatives like "warned" or "advised" to maintain a natural tone in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautioned against" functions as a verb phrase used to indicate that someone has given a warning or advice against a particular action or belief. As evidenced by Ludwig, it's commonly found in contexts where potential negative consequences are being highlighted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "cautioned against" is a frequently used and grammatically correct verb phrase that serves to advise or warn against potential risks. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage spans various contexts, including news, science, and formal communications, with the majority of examples appearing in news and media. Alternatives such as "warned against" and "advised against" offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality. When employing "cautioned against", ensure clarity by specifying the potential negative consequences and adjusting the register to suit the audience and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warned against

Direct synonym, implying a clear warning about potential negative consequences.

advised against

Suggests a more gentle form of warning, often based on personal experience or knowledge.

dissuaded from

Focuses on persuading someone not to do something.

discouraged from

Similar to dissuaded, but can also imply a reduction in enthusiasm.

urged not to

Emphasizes the importance of avoiding a specific action.

recommended against

Suggests that something is not advisable based on professional opinion or evidence.

counseled against

Implies offering advice against something, often in a formal or professional setting.

admonished against

A stronger and more formal way to express warning, often used in authoritative contexts.

alerted to the risks of

Focuses on making someone aware of potential dangers or negative outcomes.

expressed reservations about

Indicates a hesitant or doubtful feeling about something, implying a caution.

FAQs

What does "cautioned against" mean?

"Cautioned against" means to advise someone to avoid a particular action due to potential risks or negative consequences. It's a more formal way of saying "warned against" or "advised against".

How is "cautioned against" used in a sentence?

You can use "cautioned against" to indicate that someone has been advised not to do something. For example: "The experts cautioned against premature optimism".

What are some synonyms for "cautioned against"?

Alternatives to "cautioned against" include "warned against", "advised against", or "dissuaded from", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "warned against" or "cautioned against"?

Both "warned against" and "cautioned against" are correct, but "cautioned against" is generally more formal. "Warned against" might be preferred in more casual settings, while "cautioned against" is suitable for professional or academic contexts.