exercise great caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "exercise great caution" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to be extremely careful or cautious in a certain situation. Example: "When hiking in the mountains, it is important to exercise great caution to avoid any potential dangers such as slippery rocks or sudden changes in weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

You were well advised to exercise great caution in the bathrooms.

The New York Times

That said, the Obama administration would be wise to exercise great caution in launching "out of area" special forces operations so as to minimise political fall-out in countries like Pakistan.

The Guardian - Opinion

"We ask the administration to release the text immediately, and urge legislators to exercise great caution in evaluating the TPP," Richard Trumka, president of the largest labor union federation in the US, AFL-CIO, said on Monday.

The Guardian - Business

In a country with one of the most sophisticated media and Internet censorship systems, Mr. Zhang and other bloggers must exercise great caution when writing about politically sensitive content — often skirting the label "citizen reporter".

The New York Times

Since then, party officials around the country have been told to exercise great caution when recruiting private businesspeople, and not to give them prominent positions in the party.One thing the Communist Party does share with the Nationalist Party is a record of pervasive corruption.

The Economist

You can see only a short distance and must exercise great caution as you strive to get your bearings.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Many writers, celebrities and internet entrepreneurs have millions of Weibo followers, and many will have to exercise greater caution in their posts, Anti said.

The Guardian

But that is all the more the reason that we should exercise greater caution, unless, for some unaccounted reason, we are dying for another war in Korea.

The New York Times

More surprisingly, in recent months, it appears that banks in the United Arab Emirates and China are also beginning to exercise greater caution in their business dealings with Iran.

The Guardian - Opinion

Like drivers who slow down after seeing a crash but soon speed up again, investors exercise greater caution after a disaster, but these days it takes less than a decade to make them reckless again.

The Economist

Clearly, the presence of non-modifiable risk factors such as age, BMI and pre-existing renal insufficiency should serve as triggers to exercise greater caution around the time of surgery.

CKJ: Clinical Kidney Journal

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "exercise great caution", specify the context in which caution is needed to provide clear guidance. For example, "Exercise great caution when interpreting data from unreliable sources."

Common error

Avoid using "exercise great caution" when the situation inherently implies caution. Overusing it can make your writing seem redundant or patronizing. For example, instead of saying "exercise great caution when handling explosives", simply state the necessary safety procedures.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "exercise great caution" functions as an imperative or advisory expression. It instructs or strongly advises someone to be extremely careful in a given situation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

44%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "exercise great caution" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that advises extreme carefulness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is common across various domains, especially in News & Media and Science. While generally neutral to formal, it’s crucial to provide context when using the phrase to avoid redundancy. Alternatives like "proceed with caution" or "be very careful" can be used depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exert great caution

Replaces "exercise" with "exert", emphasizing the effort required to be cautious.

practice great caution

Substitutes "exercise" with "practice", highlighting the habitual nature of being cautious.

exercise considerable caution

Replaces "great" with "considerable", slightly softening the degree of caution advised.

exercise increased caution

Uses "increased" to suggest caution is already present but should be amplified.

exercise heightened caution

Similar to increased, but suggests caution is elevated to a high degree.

exercise extreme caution

Emphasizes the utmost level of carefulness needed.

proceed with great caution

Adds the verb "proceed" to emphasize the action being taken while being cautious.

be very careful

Simplifies the phrase to a more direct and general warning.

show great circumspection

Replaces "caution" with the more formal "circumspection", implying careful consideration.

take great care

Shifts focus to taking care, which encompasses broader actions beyond just caution.

FAQs

How can I use "exercise great caution" in a sentence?

You can use "exercise great caution" to advise someone to be very careful in a specific situation. For example, "You should "exercise great caution" when driving in icy conditions."

What does "exercise great caution" mean?

"Exercise great caution" means to be extremely careful and prudent in a particular situation to avoid potential risks or negative outcomes.

Which is correct, "exercise great caution" or "exercise greater caution"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but ""exercise great caution"" is generally used to advise a high degree of carefulness in a given situation. "exercise greater caution" suggests a need for more carefulness than previously exhibited.

What are some alternatives to "exercise great caution"?

Alternatives include "proceed with caution", "be very careful", and "take great care", depending on the nuance you want to convey.