keep cautious

USAGE SUMMARY

"keep cautious" is correct and usable in written English.
It means to be alert and careful. For example: When traveling alone, it's important to keep cautious of your surroundings.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Investors are concerned that a weakening of the recovery will keep cautious consumers out of stores.

The New York Times

"When you mention Disney, people have their minds made up: 'Ooh, are you O.K.? How can you stand it?' " Even those most receptive to vigorous new blood in the producing ranks wonder whether large companies can fully test the artistic limits of the theater and still keep cautious shareholders happy.

The New York Times

I'll advise them to keep cautious, be aware of their rights.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

On a dry-erase board, the detectives kept cautious track of the welcome quiet, each afternoon changing the number after the phrase "Days without Murders".

The New York Times

Still, the risk of war with Iraq kept cautious investors in bonds, as did doubts about the ability of last week's rate cut from the Fed to revive the economy soon, no matter what officials may say.

The New York Times

Many musicians keep a cautious distance during the editing process.

The New Yorker

At first, they keep a cautious distance, then they rush together to embrace.

The New Yorker

The ex-prime ministers urged Mr. Putin to keep the cautious approach.

The New York Times

Even so, with the huge uptake in phone usage over the last two decades, it's pragmatic to keep a cautious eye on emergent trends.

The Guardian

Economists said high unemployment and stagnant wage growth were likely to keep shoppers cautious, even if other parts of the economy begin to improve.

The New York Times

I'm not talking about the unhealthy fear of failure that paralyzes, I'm talking about a dose of uncertainty that will keep you cautious and push you to do better.

Stanford University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When providing advice related to safety or security, use "keep cautious" to emphasize the importance of ongoing vigilance.

Common error

While "keep cautious" is grammatically correct, it might sound slightly informal in some contexts. Consider using alternatives like "exercise caution" or "remain vigilant" for a more polished tone in formal writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "keep cautious" primarily functions as a directive or advisory phrase. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to urge someone to maintain a state of alertness and care. Examples show it used to advise caution in various situations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "keep cautious" is grammatically correct and advises maintaining vigilance. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, suggesting it implies alertness and care. While "keep cautious" appears in various contexts, it's most frequent in News & Media. As a best practice, use it to emphasize ongoing vigilance in safety-related advice. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "exercise caution" or "remain vigilant". Overall, it serves as a directive to stay alert and watchful in potentially risky situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain vigilant

Replaces "keep" with "remain" and "cautious" with "vigilant", emphasizing continuous alertness.

maintain vigilance

Similar to "remain vigilant" but uses slightly more formal language.

stay alert

Uses simpler vocabulary to convey the same meaning of maintaining awareness.

exercise caution

Replaces the verb "keep" with "exercise", focusing on the active application of caution.

be on your guard

An idiomatic expression that means to be watchful and prepared for potential danger or problems.

proceed with care

Suggests a careful and deliberate approach, especially in uncertain situations.

be mindful

Emphasizes awareness and attentiveness, suggesting a more thoughtful approach to caution.

stay prudent

Highlights the wisdom and good judgment associated with being cautious.

be circumspect

Implies careful consideration of all circumstances before acting, suggesting a high degree of caution.

watch out

A more informal way to tell someone to be careful.

FAQs

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

You can use "keep cautious" to advise someone to remain vigilant and careful in a situation, as in "When traveling alone, it's important to "keep cautious" of your surroundings".

What does "keep cautious" mean?

"Keep cautious" means to remain alert, watchful, and careful to avoid potential dangers or problems. It implies a continuous state of awareness.

What are some alternatives to "keep cautious"?

Alternatives to "keep cautious" include "remain vigilant", "stay alert", or "exercise caution", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is it better to say "be cautious" or "keep cautious"?

Both "be cautious" and "keep cautious" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different nuances. "Be cautious" is a general recommendation, while "keep cautious" implies a continuous state of alertness over a period of time.