out of caution

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of caution" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe the fact that someone is taking action as a safety measure. For example, "The store closed early out of caution due to the bad weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

42 human-written examples

Yet either out of caution or because he does not favor broad changes, Mr. Hu has tightened controls on the news media.

The New York Times

Mr. Specter took a camera along — "out of caution, he wanted us to have our own pictures," Mr. Feldbaum said — but palace guards wrested it out of Mr. Feldbaum's hands.

The New York Times

The company said it took off the streets the much larger number out of caution.

The Washington Post

Perhaps out of caution, therefore, Japan waited until just before the end of the fiscal year.

The New York Times

Nonetheless, businesses across the nation closed, though whether in protest or out of caution is unclear.

The New York Times

If some lenders curtail their lending out of caution, others will step in.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

I will throw out a word of caution about ATMs.

Huffington Post

Recusing himself was not something Sessions pulled out of thin air or even did out of an abundance of caution.

The Washington Post

Tommy G. Thompson, secretary of health and human services, said he was making the offer "out of an abundance of caution".

The New York Times

The agency announced Friday that it was canceling the auction "out of an abundance of caution".

The New York Times

Here, as this blog has pointed out before, an element of caution is needed.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "out of caution", clearly state the potential risk or negative outcome that the action is intended to prevent. This provides context and strengthens the rationale for the decision.

Common error

Avoid using "out of caution" as a blanket justification for actions without explaining the specific concern. Providing clear reasoning makes the decision more understandable and credible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of caution" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to explain the reason or motivation behind an action. As confirmed by Ludwig, this phrase indicates that something is done as a safety measure.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

18%

Science

12%

Less common in

Wiki

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "out of caution" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to explain that an action is taken as a safety measure. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase serves as an adverbial modifier, providing the rationale behind a decision. It is frequently found in news and media, academic writing, and scientific reports, indicating a neutral register. When using "out of caution", it is best to clearly state the potential risk being avoided. Alternatives include "as a "precautionary measure"" or "to be on the "safe side"". Overall, the phrase is a useful tool for expressing proactive safety measures in various contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a precautionary measure

This alternative emphasizes the action is taken to prevent something negative from happening.

to err on the side of safety

This alternative stresses prioritizing safety, even if it means taking extra steps.

to be on the safe side

This alternative highlights the desire to avoid any potential danger or risk.

for safety's sake

This alternative directly states that the action is taken to ensure safety.

as a safeguard

This alternative implies the action serves as protection against potential harm.

to minimize risk

This alternative focuses on reducing the likelihood of something negative occurring.

in anticipation of potential problems

This alternative highlights the proactive nature of the action, taken before problems arise.

with circumspection

This alternative suggests acting carefully and thoughtfully to avoid mistakes or problems.

as a preventive step

This alternative explicitly states the action is intended to prevent something undesirable.

to avert danger

This alternative emphasizes the goal of avoiding an imminent threat or hazard.

FAQs

How can I use "out of caution" in a sentence?

You can use "out of caution" to explain why a particular action was taken as a safety measure. For example, "The event was cancelled "out of caution" due to the approaching hurricane."

What can I say instead of "out of caution"?

You can use alternatives like "as a "precautionary measure"", "to be on the "safe side"", or "as a "preventive step"" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "out of an abundance of caution"?

While "out of caution" is sufficient, "out of an abundance of caution" emphasizes an extra layer of safety and care, suggesting the decision-maker is being particularly diligent in preventing potential risks.

What's the difference between "out of caution" and "due to caution"?

"Out of caution" explains the motivation behind an action, whereas "due to caution" suggests caution is the direct cause or reason for something. For example, "The delay was due to caution regarding the stability of the bridge."