grow wary

USAGE SUMMARY

"grow wary" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to indicate that someone is becoming more cautious or aware of a potential danger. Example sentence: As the storm neared, the campers began to grow wary of the possibilities of flooding.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

But some grow wary after that.

The New York Times

I grow wary whenever authors send their sleuths on exotic assignments.

The New York Times - Books

Along with the expense of fixing the phones, Samsung could face lost sales if consumers grow wary of its products.

The New York Times

Daiei has the backing of its banks for now, but may need government help if the banks grow wary.

The New York Times

Miller Homes has scrapped its planned flotation as investors grow wary of prospects for the UK housing market.

The Guardian - Business

Next year's Yankees will be even richer, and they will grow wary of the insatiable media swarm that feeds on champions.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

As a result, multinationals will grow warier of operating in countries where they have to pay to play.

The Economist

The path of causation there could be direct; markets could grow warier of the debt of troubled economies, putting more of a squeeze on those places.

The Economist

And if investors grow warier of stocks, they may turn in even greater numbers to the relative safety of high-quality corporate bonds.

Los Angeles Times

Some farm states grew wary.

The New York Times

Investors are growing wary, too.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow wary" to describe a gradual increase in caution or suspicion, often in response to specific events or circumstances. It suggests a thoughtful and considered shift in attitude, rather than a sudden, irrational fear.

Common error

Avoid using "grow wary" to describe a sudden onset of fear or panic. The phrase implies a gradual development of caution, not an immediate reaction. For sudden fear, consider using phrases like "become frightened" or "panic" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow wary" functions as a verb phrase indicating a progressive change in attitude or feeling. It describes a gradual shift towards increased caution or suspicion. Ludwig's examples show it used to describe investors, companies, and even entire towns.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "grow wary" is a common and versatile expression used to describe a gradual increase in caution, suspicion, or apprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used in various contexts, particularly in news and media. Related phrases include "become cautious", "become suspicious", and "develop reservations", each offering slightly different nuances. When using "grow wary", remember that it implies a gradual development of caution rather than a sudden burst of fear. Use it to add depth and nuance to your writing when describing evolving attitudes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

become cautious

Emphasizes increased carefulness and guarded behavior.

become distrustful

Implies a general lack of trust and a tendency to suspect the motives of others.

become suspicious

Focuses more on developing a sense of distrust or doubt.

turn skeptical

Indicates a shift towards disbelief or questioning something previously accepted.

develop reservations

Highlights the formation of doubts or hesitations about something.

become apprehensive

Highlights the development of anxiety or fear about a potential outcome.

get leery

An informal way to describe becoming suspicious or distrustful.

start doubting

Focuses on the emergence of uncertainty and lack of confidence.

get circumspect

Suggests becoming unwilling to express definite opinions because of a perceived risk.

lose faith

Implies a reduction in trust or belief in something or someone.

FAQs

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

You can use "grow wary" to indicate a gradual increase in caution or suspicion. For example, "As the company's financial problems mounted, investors began to grow wary."

What's a more formal alternative to "grow wary"?

More formal alternatives include "become cautious", "develop reservations", or "become apprehensive". These options are suitable for professional or academic contexts.

How does "grow wary" differ from "become afraid"?

"Grow wary" suggests a gradual increase in caution based on observation or experience, whereas "become afraid" indicates a sudden onset of fear. Wary implies caution, while afraid implies fear. They are not interchangeable.

Is it correct to say "grew weary" instead of "grow wary"?

While grammatically correct, "grew weary" has a different meaning. "Grew weary" means becoming tired or fatigued, while "grow wary" means becoming cautious or suspicious. The terms are similar in structure but differ significantly in meaning.