remain cautious about

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "remain cautious about" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to continue being careful or to maintain a state of caution. It is often used when advising someone to stay vigilant or to be careful in a certain situation. Example: "While the situation seems to have improved, it is important to remain cautious about the possibility of another outbreak." The phrase can also be used in a personal context, such as: "After experiencing financial difficulties, she remained cautious about her spending habits."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, the market remains competitive and, as we came up against volatile trading conditions last year, we remain cautious about the outlook for Christmas and the year ahead".

Independent

Employers remain cautious about adding workers.

The New York Times

"I remain cautious about the exact implications".

The New York Times

Environmental advocates remain cautious about diesels.

The New York Times

But consumers generally remain cautious about purchases, big or small.

The Economist

But they remain cautious about hiring, he added.

The New York Times

"We will remain cautious about growth and instead focus on good management".

The New York Times

Despite the increase in deals, bankers say acquirers remain cautious about what acquisitions to pursue.

The New York Times

We therefore remain cautious about the outlook for the year ahead".

Independent

Many private-sector economists remain cautious about the direction of the European economy.

The New York Times

Despite the almost serene atmosphere, educators remain cautious about the final disposition of their proposed budgets.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "remain cautious about", specify the exact subject or area of concern to provide clarity and avoid ambiguity. For instance, instead of saying "We should remain cautious", specify "We should remain cautious about the potential risks of this investment".

Common error

Avoid using "remain cautious about" as a blanket statement without providing context. This can make your writing seem vague and less informative. For example, saying "The company remains cautious about the future" is less effective than "The company remains cautious about the future due to the unpredictable economic climate".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "remain cautious about" functions as a verb phrase indicating a sustained state of vigilance or prudence concerning a specific matter. It is often used to temper enthusiasm or manage expectations, as supported by Ludwig's examples of experts and businesses adopting this stance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Formal & Business

21%

Science

17%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "remain cautious about" is a grammatically correct and widely used expression that conveys a sustained state of vigilance or prudence. Ludwig's analysis confirms its prevalence across various contexts, especially in news, business, and scientific domains. The phrase serves to temper enthusiasm, manage expectations, and highlight the importance of risk management. While "remain cautious about" is generally neutral in register, it is crucial to specify the subject of concern to avoid vagueness. Alternatives such as "remain wary of" or "exercise prudence regarding" can provide nuanced expressions of caution depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

remain careful about

Focuses on maintaining a state of diligence and attention to avoid potential risks.

remain circumspect about

Highlights the need for prudence and discretion in one's actions or statements.

remain wary about

Emphasizes a sense of mistrust or suspicion regarding potential dangers.

remain skeptical about

Suggests a critical and questioning attitude towards claims or promises.

stay vigilant regarding

Stresses the importance of continuous monitoring and alertness to potential threats.

exercise caution concerning

Highlights the proactive application of care and foresight.

adopt a guarded approach towards

Implies a more strategic and defensive mindset in dealing with uncertain situations.

maintain reservations regarding

Indicates unresolved doubts or concerns about something.

hold back from fully embracing

Expresses hesitation or reluctance to completely accept or support something.

refrain from jumping to conclusions about

Advises against making hasty judgments without sufficient evidence.

FAQs

How can I use "remain cautious about" in a sentence?

You can use "remain cautious about" to express a continued state of alertness or care regarding a particular situation. For example, "Despite the positive results, experts "remain cautious about" the long-term effects".

What's a formal alternative to "remain cautious about"?

A formal alternative to "remain cautious about" could be "exercise prudence regarding". For example, "The board decided to exercise prudence regarding further investments in the volatile market".

What can I say instead of "remain cautious about"?

You can use alternatives such as "remain wary of", "remain circumspect about", or "maintain reservations regarding", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "remain cautious about" or "be cautious about"?

Both "remain cautious about" and "be cautious about" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different implications. "Be cautious about" suggests a general state of alertness, while "remain cautious about" implies a continuation of that state. The best choice depends on the specific context. For example, "After the incident, all personnel were instructed to "be cautious about" approaching the area". In contrast, "Given the ongoing risks, we must "remain cautious about" further expansion".