he cautioned me

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he cautioned me" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to someone giving you a warning or advice about a potential danger or problem. Example: "Before I made my decision, he cautioned me about the risks involved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

Despite his strong feelings, he cautioned me against broaching the topic with other residents of the Colony.

The New Yorker

"And when you look at their kids," he cautioned me, "be careful, because sometimes they're adopted, or from donor sperm.

The New Yorker

"He cautioned me not to expect a contract immediately," Mr. Killingsworth said with a chuckle.

The New York Times

He cautioned me not to read too much biography into his new seriousness.

The New Yorker

But when I spoke to Jeff Jarvis, the author of "What Would Google Do?", he cautioned me not to be so dismissive.

The New York Times

He cautioned me that I had accepted a very difficult job: "You're black, you're female and you're a civilian.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

"I hesitate to say we've become friends over the years," he cautions me.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It's not a school, he cautions me, but "an exclusive club for talented people", with an audition process that's as tough as it ever was.

The Guardian - Film

With that said, he cautions me not to expect other imminent acquisitions.

TechCrunch

He cautions me not to underestimate the importance of Cleo's conversational style in helping the app compete purely from a user experience perspective, particularly amongst the digital natives it is targeting.

TechCrunch

He did not say much else, and when, a few days later, I was scheduling an interview with him, his spokesperson, Kim Akhtar, cautioned me that he wouldn't talk about the report.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "he cautioned me", ensure the context clearly indicates what specific potential danger or problem was being cautioned against for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "he cautioned me" in very informal or casual settings, as it can sound overly formal. Opt for phrases like "he warned me" or "he told me to be careful" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he cautioned me" functions as a reporting verb construction. It indicates that someone provided a warning or advice to the speaker. The phrase shows the act of informing someone to be careful about possible dangers.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "he cautioned me" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in English, used to indicate that someone gave you a warning or advice. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is usable in written English. While the phrase isn't particularly frequent, it appears across various contexts with neutral to slightly formal register, primarily in news and media. When using the phrase, ensure the context clearly indicates what specific danger or problem was being cautioned against. Alternatives include "he warned me" and "he advised me".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he warned me

Replaces "cautioned" with "warned", indicating a stronger sense of potential danger.

he advised me

Replaces "cautioned" with "advised", suggesting a more general recommendation.

he forewarned me

Replaces "cautioned" with "forewarned", emphasizing that the warning came in advance.

he alerted me

Replaces "cautioned" with "alerted", emphasizing the act of bringing something to my attention.

he urged me to be careful

Expresses the caution as an urging for carefulness, adding a sense of importance.

he told me to be wary

Uses "wary" to convey a sense of caution, highlighting the need for suspicion or distrust.

he counseled me

Replaces "cautioned" with "counseled", implying a more formal or considered piece of advice.

he instructed me to watch out

Uses "instructed" and "watch out" to convey a clear warning about potential danger.

he tipped me off

Suggests receiving confidential information that should prompt caution, less formal.

he set me straight

Indicates that someone corrected a misunderstanding or misdirection which is a form of caution.

FAQs

How to use "he cautioned me" in a sentence?

Use "he cautioned me" to indicate that someone gave you a warning or advice about a potential danger or problem. Example: "Before I invested, "he cautioned me" about the risks involved."

What can I say instead of "he cautioned me"?

You can use alternatives like "he warned me", "he advised me", or "he alerted me" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "he cautioned me" and "he warned me"?

"He cautioned me" suggests a gentle warning or advice, while "he warned me" implies a stronger sense of potential danger or negative consequences.

Is "he cautioned me" formal or informal?

"He cautioned me" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal. It is suitable for both professional and news-related contexts.