cautious to

USAGE SUMMARY

"cautious to" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone is being careful or hesitant in their actions. Example: Sarah was cautious to approach the new dog, as she wasn't sure if it was friendly or not. In this sentence, "cautious to" shows that Sarah is being careful and hesitant in her approach towards the new dog.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In other words, they are cautious to a fault.

The Economist

Still, Hoyle is cautious to embrace the boom.

The Guardian

Mr. Davis is ambitious, but cautious to a fault.

The New York Times

Bailey was too cautious to try anything new.

The Guardian

For an entrepreneur, he is cautious to a fault.

The New York Times

Young animals should be cautious, to stay alive long enough to reproduce.

The Economist

He says he has had to be "very cautious" – to the point of skipping meals.

The Guardian - Money

"But still, after so long, you're very cautious to believe it's going to stay on".

The New York Times

But elsewhere he has been cautious to a fault, eyeing the political calendar.

The New York Times

All the policies he has enunciated so far are cautious to a fault.

The Economist

When asked about it, he is too cautious to make a prediction.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "cautious to", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is being careful about. This helps to avoid ambiguity and makes the sentence more impactful.

Common error

Avoid using "cautious to" excessively in very formal or academic writing. While grammatically correct, consider stronger, more precise verbs to convey the intended meaning more effectively. Alternatives like "prudent" or "circumspect" can add sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "cautious to" functions primarily as an adjective phrase modifying a subject, followed by an infinitive verb, indicating a careful or hesitant approach towards a particular action. It is used to describe someone's disposition or behavior in a situation where risk or uncertainty is present. Ludwig AI confirms the validity of this expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Reference

10%

Academia

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "cautious to" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that indicates a careful or hesitant approach. Ludwig AI confirms that this usage is both valid and common. It is commonly found in news, media, and scientific contexts and serves to convey prudence or wariness. When employing this phrase, it's best to ensure clarity about the object of caution and to avoid overuse in very formal settings, where more precise language might be preferable. Alternatives such as ""careful to"" or "prudent to" can offer subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

careful to

Replaces "cautious" with "careful", offering a slightly more general term for attentiveness and diligence.

wary to

Substitutes "cautious" with "wary", emphasizing a sense of watchfulness and suspicion towards potential risks.

prudent to

Replaces "cautious" with "prudent", highlighting wisdom and good judgment in avoiding risks.

circumspect to

Substitutes "cautious" with "circumspect", suggesting a more deliberate and careful approach to avoid causing offense or attracting attention.

hesitant to

Replaces "cautious" with "hesitant", indicating a reluctance or unwillingness to do something.

disinclined to

Replaces "cautious" with "disinclined", emphasizing a lack of enthusiasm or willingness.

mindful to

Replaces "cautious" with "mindful", focusing on the awareness and consideration of potential consequences.

vigilant to

Replaces "cautious" with "vigilant", emphasizing a state of watchfulness and readiness.

chary to

Substitutes "cautious" with "chary", suggesting a careful and reluctant approach due to potential danger or risk.

averse to

Replaces "cautious" with "averse", highlighting a strong dislike or opposition to something, leading to a cautious approach.

FAQs

How can I use "cautious to" in a sentence?

You can use "cautious to" to describe someone's careful or hesitant approach to something. For instance, "The investor was "careful to" diversify his portfolio" shows a deliberate approach to risk management.

What are some alternatives to "cautious to"?

Alternatives include phrases like ""careful to"", "wary to", or "prudent to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "cautious to" or "cautious about"?

While both are grammatically correct, "cautious to" is typically followed by a verb in the infinitive form (e.g., "cautious to proceed"), while "cautious about" is followed by a noun or gerund (e.g., "cautious about the risks").

What does it mean to be "cautious to a fault"?

Being "cautious to a fault" means being excessively or overly cautious, to the point where it may hinder progress or opportunities. This suggests that while caution is generally good, too much of it can be detrimental.