cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

'cautious' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to someone being careful or doing something with caution. For example, "The pilot approached the runway with a cautious attitude to ensure a safe landing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But when equally unacceptable views or practices have come from someone who isn't white, we've been too cautious, frankly even fearful, to stand up to them".

The New York Times

Helen Szoke, chief executive of Oxfam Australia, said her organisation "would have put the reduction of poverty as the first benchmark" in the revamped aid program and was "cautious" about the role of the private sector.

The Guardian

So it's no wonder that companies are feeling cautious.

The Economist

This month's Guardian/ICM poll suggests the answer is a cautious yes – but the party has yet to convince voters it has the right team and policies to run the country.

The Guardian

TNS, which is regarded as more cautious than other pollsters, said its findings suggested the gap between the SNP and Scottish Labour is much narrower than the 20-point lead given to the nationalists in a spate of other recent polls, but that it was still gloomy news for the Scottish Labour leader, Jim Murphy.

The Guardian

I remained overly cautious, and even as our child grew up and started to put two and two together, I was conservative in anything I said, lest I should be in contempt of court.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Last month Angela Merkel made the first, cautious signals in the direction of a higher defence budget at the inaugural visit of the new Nato secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg.

The Guardian

He claimed that growing numbers of young adults were "very cautious and depressed" about their futures in terms of buying a home, paying off debt and finding a secure job.

The Guardian - Business

Cautious, crabby and a poor spectacle, it typified the way much of the tournament had gone.

The Guardian - Sport

Its cautious response suggests it is not convinced that will prove to be the case.

The Guardian

Howard, by then a cautious convert to the importance of symbolism to advance reconciliation, proposed a policy of constitutional recognition at the 2007 election but by then he'd run out of time in the Lodge.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character's actions, use "cautious" to highlight their awareness of potential risks and their deliberate approach to avoiding them.

Common error

While "cautious" is appropriate in many contexts, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "prudent", "wary", or "circumspect" to add nuance and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The word "cautious" primarily functions as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a state of being careful and wary. As seen in Ludwig examples, it describes actions and attitudes taken to avoid potential dangers or negative consequences. Ludwig AI confirms that "cautious" is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adjective "cautious" signifies a careful and prudent approach, marked by an awareness of potential risks. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is very common and primarily found in "News & Media". While versatile, it's important to be mindful of overuse and consider synonyms like "prudent" or "wary" to add nuance. Employ "cautious" to highlight a deliberate and risk-averse mindset, particularly when describing actions or attitudes in situations where safety and careful consideration are paramount.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

prudent

Emphasizes wisdom and careful consideration in decision-making, suggesting a more thoughtful approach than simply being "cautious".

wary

Highlights a sense of alertness and suspicion towards potential dangers or deception, adding an element of distrust not always present in "cautious".

circumspect

Indicates careful consideration of all circumstances and potential consequences before acting, suggesting a more comprehensive assessment than "cautious".

careful

A more general term indicating attention to detail and avoidance of mistakes or harm, lacking the specific implication of potential danger in "cautious".

guarded

Suggests a defensive posture and reluctance to reveal information or emotions, implying a more personal and protective stance than "cautious".

vigilant

Emphasizes attentiveness and readiness to detect and respond to potential threats, highlighting an active and watchful state beyond simple caution.

discreet

Focuses on avoiding causing offense or revealing sensitive information, emphasizing tact and confidentiality rather than general risk avoidance like "cautious".

chary

Implies a reluctance to take risks or spend resources, adding an element of frugality and careful management not always present in "cautious".

circumspect

Implies a deep consideration of circumstances and potential consequences. This suggests a greater level of detail than simply being "cautious".

conservative

Suggests a preference for traditional or established approaches and an aversion to change or innovation, linking caution to a broader philosophical stance.

FAQs

How can I use "cautious" in a sentence?

You can use "cautious" to describe someone who is careful and avoids risks, such as, "The driver was very "cautious" while driving in the snow".

What's the difference between "cautious" and "careful"?

"Cautious" implies a specific awareness of potential dangers and a deliberate effort to avoid them, while "careful" is a more general term indicating attentiveness and avoidance of mistakes.

What can I say instead of "cautious"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "prudent", "wary", or "circumspect" instead of "cautious".

Is it better to be "cautious" or "bold"?

Whether it's better to be "cautious" or "bold" depends entirely on the situation. A "cautious" approach minimizes risks, while a "bold" approach can lead to greater rewards but also greater potential for failure.