out of precaution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "out of precaution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to taking a precautionary measure to avoid harm or risk. For example, "We decided to cancel the outdoor event out of precaution due to the forecast of inclement weather."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

As a result, the food multinational has decided in a "voluntary" fashion and "out of precaution" to issue the recall, which covers mostly European countries, but also Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Most everything else has been called off, too, partly out of precaution but mostly owing to heartbreak.

The New Yorker

A statement on its website said the measure was "based on national and international information and out of precaution".

The Guardian

"Nobody has recommended it, but I've put the mask on out of precaution," said Mr. Holmes, who was traveling to Tunisia.

The New York Times

Deputy Health Minister Ferruccio Fazio ordered the closings "out of precaution and so as to limit as much as possible the spread of the new A(H1N1) flu virus," a statement said.

The New York Times

"Even though it's not anywhere near as strong as Sandy - nor strong enough, in normal times, for us to evacuate anybody - out of precaution and because of the changing physical circumstances, we are going to go to some small areas and ask those people to go to higher ground," Mr Bloomberg said.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Thus, any EU regulator following the recommendations by Rauschen [6] would be in conflict with national (German), EU, and international regulations (Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety) as they all require ERA to be carried out in consideration of precaution.

Environmental Sciences Europe

The threat to personal safety due to unpredictable patient behaviour was a central concern, and present security precautions in the out-of-hours services were questioned.

BMC Health Services Research

He told me that the out-of-the-way location was a safety precaution, taken to keep protesters away.

The New Yorker

"I do so out of extreme, but necessary, precaution to protect the lives and safety of my Senate staff and my Minnesota constituents, who might otherwise visit my office in the next few weeks," Mr. Dayton said a statement.

The New York Times

Indeed, what might look like lack of precaution may turn out to be reasonable given the material and symbolic circumstances of affected individuals and populations.

BMC Public Health

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of precaution" to clearly state that an action is being taken to avoid a potential risk, even if the risk seems minimal. This clarifies the rationale behind the decision and can prevent misunderstandings.

Common error

Avoid using "out of precaution" excessively, as it can make your writing sound overly cautious or hesitant. Use it judiciously when it's important to emphasize the preventative nature of an action, but consider simpler alternatives like "for safety" or "just in case" when the precaution is obvious.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of precaution" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the reason or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "out of precaution" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe actions taken to prevent potential risks. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness in various contexts. It's most frequently found in news and media, indicating its role in explaining decisions made to mitigate possible dangers. While effective, it's important to use the phrase judiciously, avoiding overuse and considering simpler alternatives when appropriate. Understanding the contexts and nuances of "out of precaution" allows for clearer and more effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as a preventive measure

Focuses on the action being a direct step to prevent something from happening, rather than a general precaution.

to err on the side of caution

Emphasizes a deliberate choice to be extra careful, even if it seems unnecessary.

in anticipation of

Highlights the expectation that something might occur, leading to preparatory actions.

to be on the safe side

Indicates a desire to avoid any potential risk, even if it seems unlikely.

as a safety measure

Highlights the safety aspect and a planned action to reduce dangers.

for safety's sake

Emphasizes the importance of safety as the primary reason for the action.

in advance

Focuses on doing something ahead of time, implying preparation but not necessarily due to risk.

beforehand

Similar to "in advance", but more general and less connected to a specific threat.

just in case

Indicates a preparation for something unlikely, but still possible.

out of concern

Highlights worry as the reason for an action, rather than precaution.

FAQs

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

You can use "out of precaution" to explain why you are taking a specific action to avoid potential risks. For instance, "The event was cancelled "out of precaution" due to the impending storm".

What are some alternatives to saying "out of precaution"?

Alternatives include phrases like "as a preventive measure", "to be on the safe side", or "just in case", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to specify that an action is taken "out of precaution"?

No, specifying "out of precaution" is most useful when you want to emphasize the preventative nature of the action, especially when the risk is not immediately obvious. In other cases, it might be redundant.

How does "out of precaution" differ from "out of fear"?

"Out of precaution" implies a rational assessment of potential risks and a proactive response, while "out of fear" suggests an emotional response driven by anxiety, even if the risk is minimal or unfounded.