cautioned him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "cautioned him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to indicate that someone warned or advised another person about a potential danger or problem. Example: "She cautioned him about the risks of investing in that volatile market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

People cautioned him about the legal consequences.

MIT Technology Review

The Tamilian boy alone cautioned him.

The New Yorker

("Steady," Olbermann cautioned him on the air).

The New York Times

But the guard cautioned him against it.

The New York Times

My memorandum cautioned him not to exaggerate.

The New York Times

Everyone has cautioned him against it.

The New Yorker

When Mr. Michaelson pressed him further, his lawyer cautioned him.

The New York Times

The locomotive engineer cautioned him against using cold water.

The New Yorker

The couples cautioned him not to wait too long.

The New York Times - Style

Clapper, the director of national intelligence, cautioned him against it.

The New Yorker

The police cautioned him and let him go.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "cautioned him" when you want to emphasize a specific warning given to someone about a potential risk or consequence. It implies a deliberate act of advising against a certain course of action.

Common error

Avoid phrasing sentences in a way that obscures who is doing the cautioning. For example, instead of "He was cautioned by her", prefer the active voice: "She cautioned him."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautioned him" functions as a verb phrase where "cautioned" is the verb and "him" is the object pronoun. This phrase typically indicates that someone has issued a warning or given advice to another person, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cautioned him" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that someone has warned another person about a potential risk or problem. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is prevalent in news and media sources. While there are various alternatives like "warned him" or "advised him", "cautioned him" maintains a neutral tone suitable for many contexts. It's important to use active voice for clarity and emphasize the warning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

warned him

Direct synonym, indicating a straightforward warning.

advised him

Suggests a more thoughtful recommendation rather than a stark warning.

forewarned him

Highlights the act of warning someone in advance.

urged him

Implies a strong and persuasive attempt to influence his actions.

alerted him to

Focuses on making him aware of a specific danger or issue.

reprimanded him

Suggests a formal rebuke for past actions.

admonished him

Similar to reprimanded, but potentially less formal.

counselled him

Implies professional or personal guidance.

put him on notice

More formal expression, indicating that consequences will follow if the behavior continues.

gave him a heads-up

Informal, suggesting a friendly warning.

FAQs

How can I use "cautioned him" in a sentence?

The phrase "cautioned him" is used to indicate that someone has warned another person about a potential danger or problem. For example, "The doctor cautioned him about the side effects of the medication".

What are some alternatives to "cautioned him"?

You can use alternatives like "warned him", "advised him", or "urged him" depending on the context and the level of intensity you want to convey.

Is it better to use "cautioned him" or "warned him"?

"Cautioned him" and "warned him" are often interchangeable, but "cautioned" can imply a more thoughtful and considered warning, while "warned" is a more general term.

What's the difference between "cautioned him" and "advised him"?

Advised him suggests offering guidance or recommendations, while "cautioned him" specifically refers to warning about potential dangers or negative consequences. The choice depends on whether you're providing general advice or highlighting specific risks.