maintained caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "maintained caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when describing a state of being careful or vigilant in a particular situation. Example: "Despite the challenges ahead, the team maintained caution during the negotiations to avoid any misunderstandings."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Hutton maintained caution throughout; Wisden commented that his dominance of the bowling had become slightly monotonous after two days, although it recognised his skill.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

They found that while overall herbicide use decreased at first when GE crops first went into use, "those decreases have not been maintained", cautioning however that the use of some herbicides is down, while use of others is up, and the overall number doesn't tell us much.

Huffington Post

The Obama administration maintained the caution it routinely applies to ongoing criminal investigations.

The Guardian

The heritage values of exotic tropical species in STBG and YBV could be maintained with caution.

Botanical Studies

Criticism should be maintained and caution exercised since every user relies on the accuracy, conscientiousness, and objectivity of the contributor.

BMC Medical Education

Maintain caution in what you deal with.

WikiHow

I am excited about this prospect, but maintain some caution until the final bill is passed.

Huffington Post

Consequently, even if levels of neutral genetic diversity can be sufficiently maintained in captivity, caution must be exercised in interpreting such data for risk assessment and the ability of captive breeding programs to maintain fitness, a subject treated in detail in the next section.

Evolutionary Applications

While her staff worked three nights running, Ms. Fleming maintained that schedule after cautioning her office not to call during the predawn hours and to leave messages at other times.

The New York Times

Jacobs has maintained a Web site cautioning people about the dangers of silver, since she noticed, a few years ago, that health-food stores were selling silver and extolling its benefits, which are sometimes said to include the cure of acne, cancer, leprosy, plague, ebola, and anthrax.

The New Yorker

McMurray thought he should have maintained the lead through the caution, but Kenseth and Kahne were put in front for the restart on Lap 364.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about ongoing situations where potential risks are present, use "maintained caution" to emphasize the need for continued vigilance and careful action. This is particularly useful in fields like finance, medicine, and engineering where errors can have significant consequences.

Common error

Avoid using "maintained caution" in contexts where the level of risk doesn't warrant such a degree of vigilance. Overusing it can make your writing sound overly cautious or even paranoid. Opt for simpler alternatives like "was careful" or "paid attention" in less critical scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "maintained caution" functions as a descriptor, indicating a continuous state of being careful and vigilant. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. Its usage suggests an active effort to avoid risks or errors in a particular situation.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

25%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintained caution" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe a continued state of carefulness and vigilance, especially in situations involving potential risks. According to Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. While not exceedingly common, its usage spans across News & Media, Science, and Wiki contexts. For alternative expressions, consider "exercised vigilance" or "practiced prudence". When using this phrase, ensure that the context warrants such a degree of carefulness to avoid sounding overly cautious.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercised vigilance

Replaces "maintained" with "exercised" and "caution" with "vigilance", emphasizing attentiveness.

practiced prudence

Substitutes "maintained" with "practiced" and "caution" with "prudence", highlighting wisdom and careful decision-making.

kept a watchful eye

Uses a more idiomatic expression to convey the idea of staying alert and observing carefully.

remained vigilant

Focuses on the state of being watchful and alert, using "remained" to indicate a continuous condition.

held a cautious outlook

Emphasizes the perspective and attitude of being careful and wary.

displayed circumspection

Replaces "maintained caution" with a more formal term, emphasizing careful consideration of circumstances.

preserved wariness

Highlights the aspect of being wary and suspicious to avoid potential dangers.

upheld a cautious approach

Stresses the continuation of a deliberate and careful method or strategy.

retained carefulness

Emphasizes the act of keeping a state of being careful and attentive.

demonstrated attentiveness

Highlights the act of showing care to details.

FAQs

What does it mean to "maintain caution"?

To "maintain caution" means to continue being careful and vigilant, especially in situations where potential risks or dangers are present. It implies a sustained effort to avoid mistakes or negative outcomes.

How can I use "maintained caution" in a sentence?

You can use "maintained caution" to describe actions or attitudes, such as: "The team "maintained caution" throughout the negotiations to avoid any misunderstandings" or "The driver "maintained caution" on the icy roads".

What are some alternatives to "maintained caution"?

Some alternatives to "maintained caution" include "exercised vigilance", "practiced prudence", or "remained vigilant", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it more appropriate to say "maintain caution" or "exercise caution"?

Both "maintain caution" and "exercise caution" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Maintain caution" suggests an ongoing state, while "exercise caution" implies a specific action taken at a particular moment. You may also consider "observe caution" or "practice caution".