out of prudence

USAGE SUMMARY

"out of prudence" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to express a cautious approach to a particular situation. For example, "Out of prudence, she decided to save 10% of her income every month."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

The House speaker, J. Dennis Hastert, went a step further, announcing that the House, out of prudence, would close shop until Tuesday.

The New York Times

You would want to avoid many of these countries right now out of prudence, because they're in a state of civil war.

The New York Times - Magazine

If we think that our words were reasonable and not meant to provoke, and we still censor ourselves, we are acting out of prudence or fear, and in a way treating the other as irrational.

The New York Times

Mr. Hastert said he was acting out of prudence, but one man's prudence in a situation like the present one can feed others' panic, and he was criticized pitilessly by his peers on the ground that he was setting a poor example.

The New York Times

And the people who understand are holding back — out of "prudence".

Forbes

But why? Partly, it's because bureaucracy grows out of prudence, a desire not to repeat the mistakes of the past.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

An opulent and gimmick-filled production might have raised the attention span, but Antony McDonald's allusions to old cut-out and painted scenery speak more of prudence and economy.

The New York Times - Arts

The wolf was out; and then was tucked away in a heart-drawer of prudence.

The New Yorker

Mr Primakov has just about managed, in principle at least, to prise yet another dollop of cash out of western fists, amid all the usual vacuous promises of prudence and probity.

The Economist

"I'm sorely tempted to throw out three or four names, but it wouldn't be right," he said, showing a depressing level of prudence for someone who was spending the day trying to get cross-country by airplane.

The New York Times

Last Sunday, Mr. Vallone received an endorsement from The Daily News, which singled out the "fiscal prudence" of the "Giuliani-Vallone partnership;" The News's editorial page editor, Richard J. Schwartz, is a former senior aide to Mr. Giuliani.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "out of prudence" when you want to indicate that an action is taken as a result of careful and wise consideration, particularly to avoid potential risks or negative consequences. For instance, "The company decided to delay the product launch out of prudence, given the uncertain market conditions."

Common error

Avoid using "out of prudence" when the motivation is solely fear or anxiety. Prudence involves reasoned judgment, not just an emotional reaction. For example, it's better to say "The team canceled the outdoor event out of prudence due to the approaching storm" than "The team canceled the outdoor event out of fear of getting wet".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "out of prudence" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb to indicate the reason or motivation behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "out of prudence" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to explain actions taken with careful consideration and wise judgment. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's commonly found in news, science, and wiki articles, signifying a neutral register. When using "out of prudence", ensure that the motivation is genuinely rooted in reasoned assessment rather than mere fear. Alternatives like "as a precaution" or "on the side of caution" can be suitable substitutes, depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

on the side of caution

Suggests a preference for minimizing risk even if it means missing potential opportunities.

in light of caution

Highlights the consideration of potential risks when making a decision.

as a precaution

Focuses specifically on taking steps to prevent potential harm or negative outcomes.

exercising caution

This alternative puts emphasis on the action of being careful and attentive to risks.

as a safeguard

Implies implementing measures to protect against potential threats or dangers.

as a matter of course

Emphasizes acting according to established procedure or routine, implying wisdom based on past experiences.

for safety's sake

Emphasizes prioritization of safety and well-being above other considerations.

with judiciousness

Stresses the use of good judgment and careful consideration in decision-making.

with circumspection

Focuses on careful observation and analysis to avoid mistakes or negative consequences.

with foresight

Highlights the anticipation of future events and the implementation of appropriate measures in advance.

FAQs

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

Use "out of prudence" to explain that an action was taken because it was the most sensible and cautious approach, for example: "Out of prudence, the CEO decided to postpone the merger until the market stabilized".

What phrases are similar to "out of prudence"?

Similar phrases include "as a precaution", "on the side of caution", or "for safety's sake". Choose the phrase that best fits the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the caution taken.

Is it ever wrong to use "out of prudence"?

While grammatically correct, "out of prudence" might not always be the best choice if the action is motivated by something other than careful consideration, such as fear or mere habit. Make sure the action genuinely reflects wise and thoughtful decision-making.

What is the difference between "out of prudence" and "out of caution"?

"Out of caution" suggests a more general sense of being careful, while "out of prudence" implies a more reasoned and thoughtful approach, based on experience and good judgment. Prudence is about wisdom, whereas caution is simply about avoiding danger.