grow cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow cautious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a gradual increase in caution or carefulness in response to a situation or experience. Example: "As the project progressed and challenges arose, the team began to grow cautious about their timelines and deliverables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Then, Mr. Tabone, 46, a baby-faced veteran of local and state politics, appeared to grow cautious.

The New York Times

It starts fast, and sometimes chaotically, but then, if no one scores in the first ten minutes, the players grow cautious and tactical.

The New Yorker

Some of the rise in the importance of emerging markets is a result of the drying up of deals in the West, as companies and banks grow cautious about adding debt to their balance sheets.

The New York Times

But it is conceivable that someday investors will grow cautious about lending to a country with so little self-control and demand higher interest rates to protect them from the possibility of a depreciating dollar.

The New York Times

Even as the United States and Russia grow cautious about the cost of exploring other worlds, China is taking the first steps to challenging their longtime pre-eminence in space.

The New York Times

The prosperity of the last five years that has lifted nearly every family will gradually disappear for millions of people, and both consumers and companies will grow cautious in their spending and investing.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Many analysts have grown cautious about China's economy.

The New York Times

As fears of unemployment rise, consumers are growing cautious.

The Economist

When the financial crisis hit in 2008, deals were suspended, firms retrenched, and investors grew cautious.

The New York Times

Only when it grows cautious and pulls its punches are the results pallid and bland.

The New York Times

But gay men in the once carefree community grew cautious about unsafe sex, Mr. Critchley said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow cautious" to describe a gradual increase in carefulness or wariness over time, often in response to changing circumstances or new information.

Common error

While "grow cautious" is generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "become circumspect" or "develop reservations" when writing for academic or high-level business audiences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow cautious" functions as a verb phrase, typically used to describe a gradual increase in a subject's level of carefulness or wariness. As noted by Ludwig, this construction is both correct and appropriate for indicating a developing state of caution.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow cautious" effectively conveys a gradual increase in carefulness or wariness, as affirmed by Ludwig. Predominantly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, it denotes a measured response to evolving circumstances. While grammatically sound, more formal alternatives may suit academic or high-level professional settings. Remember to use "grow cautious" when highlighting a progressive shift towards increased vigilance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become wary

Emphasizes a shift towards suspicion or distrust.

become careful

Focuses on increasing attentiveness to avoid mistakes or danger.

become circumspect

Suggests a heightened awareness of potential consequences and a desire to avoid them.

develop reservations

Highlights the emergence of doubts or concerns.

exercise restraint

Implies a conscious effort to control one's actions or behavior.

adopt a cautious approach

Shifts the focus to a deliberate strategy of carefulness.

become apprehensive

Indicates an increasing feeling of anxiety or unease.

lose confidence

Reflects a decrease in certainty or faith in a particular outcome.

start to doubt

Highlights the emergence of skepticism or uncertainty.

reconsider one's position

Suggests a thoughtful reevaluation of a previously held stance.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow cautious" to describe a gradual increase in carefulness or wariness. For example: "As the negotiations dragged on, the company began to grow cautious about the deal."

What are some alternatives to "grow cautious"?

You can use alternatives like "become wary", "become careful", or "become circumspect" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "grow cautious" or "become cautious"?

Both "grow cautious" and "become cautious" are grammatically correct, but "grow cautious" emphasizes a more gradual process, while "become cautious" suggests a more immediate shift.

What's the difference between "grow cautious" and "grow skeptical"?

"Grow cautious" implies an increasing carefulness or wariness, while "grow skeptical" suggests an increasing doubt or disbelief. The choice depends on whether the focus is on safety/risk or truth/validity.