pay caution

USAGE SUMMARY

'pay caution' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
Example sentence: When driving in unfamiliar areas, it is wise to pay caution to any detours or changes in the road layout.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Our labour market performed well throughout the recession and pay caution and flexible contracts will continue to underpin growth.

Independent

"What do you want to know about the pay?" Caution: Never talk about teacher "pay or holidays" as reasons to teach.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

These quite unexpected results indicate that certain undesirable defects of a scheme may grow and destroy the numerical solution completely and hence one need to pay extra caution to deal with reaction dominant systems.

Journal of Computational Physics

While epidemiologists very often pay due caution to inferences of causality, some topics are debated strongly with respect to whether or to what extent it may be reasonable to infer causality from observed associations and what the implications are for prevention.

Addiction

The discussed difficulty of identifying 'hidden' planar defects in boron carbide nanowires calls attention to researchers to pay great cautions when analyzing microstructures of 1D nanomaterials with a complicated rhombohedral crystal structure.

Nanoscale Research Letters

The key to the transition to pay service was caution, she said.

The New York Times

While in Iowa, Fallon said "Our primary goal to make Wall Street pay," adding with caution: "It looks like Wall Street is going to pay".

Huffington Post

Remuneration committees are approaching any increase in pay-outs with caution to ensure they accurately reflect performance and satisfy shareholders".

The Guardian - Business

Here, though, with glory to be had, he took few risks on an afternoon of intermittent gusts of wind, and paid for his caution.

The Guardian - Sport

A1 Caution Pays Off for a Baby Bell BellSouth has found the local telephone business a haven in the storm that has ravaged much of the rest of the telecommunications industry.

The New York Times

That caution paid off, because while Scott has many of Brent's traits - the belief that he's a born entertainer, for instance - he also provides unexpected glimmers of sweetness.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pay caution", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the caution is directed towards. For instance, "Pay caution to road conditions when driving in the rain."

Common error

While grammatically correct, "pay caution" can sometimes sound less sophisticated in formal contexts. Consider using alternatives like "exercise vigilance" or "adopt a cautious approach" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pay caution" functions as a directive, urging someone to be careful or attentive. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pay caution" is a grammatically correct phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, used to advise someone to be careful and attentive. While its frequency is uncommon, it finds application across various contexts, particularly in News & Media and Scientific domains. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity regarding the subject of caution. For a more polished tone in formal writing, consider alternatives such as "exercise vigilance" or "adopt a cautious approach". While valid, bear in mind that its uncommon status implies that there are more frequent and natural ways to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

proceed carefully

Emphasizes deliberation and measured actions.

adopt a cautious approach

Focuses on the manner of proceeding, emphasizing prudence.

remain vigilant

Highlights the continuous nature of watchfulness.

exercise vigilance

Replaces "pay caution" with a stronger emphasis on being watchful and alert.

be on guard

Emphasizes readiness for potential threats or danger.

show circumspection

Suggests a careful and prudent approach, rather than just caution.

be prudent

Highlights the wisdom and thoughtfulness behind being cautious.

be attentive

Shifts the focus to active listening and observation.

take heed

Implies listening to and acting upon warnings or advice.

mind your step

An informal way to advise caution, especially in potentially dangerous situations.

FAQs

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

You can use "pay caution" to advise someone to be careful or attentive. For example, "You should pay caution when handling sensitive information."

What are some alternatives to "pay caution"?

Alternatives include phrases like "exercise vigilance", "adopt a cautious approach", or "be attentive" depending on the context.

Is "pay caution" the same as "be cautious"?

While both phrases advise care, "pay caution" emphasizes directing attention to something specific, while "be cautious" is a more general instruction to act carefully. Consider "proceed carefully" as an alternative to "be cautious".

When is it appropriate to use "pay caution"?

"Pay caution" is appropriate when you want to emphasize the need to be particularly careful or observant in a specific situation or regarding a specific matter.