stern caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "stern caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to be very careful or to take a serious approach to a situation. Example: "The committee issued a statement with stern caution regarding the potential risks involved in the project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Important clinical problems could still emerge," was the stern caution of an otherwise positive editorial in The New England Journal of Medicine last month.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The Secret, Revealed Which provoked a stern caution from Madame and may explain at long last why the French become frustrated with Americans.

The New York Times - Arts

In three new research papers, the fund's economists offered stern admonitions while cautioning against an overreaction.

The New York Times

Newcastle's desperation to get an equaliser then boiled over on a couple of occasions as Cisse and Steven Taylor went into the book, with Danny Rose also cautioned for a stern challenge on Mathieu Debuchy.

BBC

"A boat has a transom, a stern and an after cockpit," he cautioned.

The New York Times - Sports

Bangladesh also cautioned the North Korean ambassador that stern actions will be taken against any embassy staff found involved in such crimes in future.

Vice

Arguably, Sidwell was fortunate to avoid a second caution for a similar challenge on Semedo just beyond the half-hour, instead incurring a stern talking-to from Tierney.

The Guardian - Sport

He looked stern.

The New York Times

A stern gaze.

Independent

STERN -- Stanley.

The New York Times

That brought stern rebukes.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "stern caution" when you want to emphasize the serious nature of a warning or advice, particularly in contexts where potential risks are significant.

Common error

Avoid using "stern caution" in casual or informal settings. Its formal tone can sound overly dramatic or out of place in everyday conversations; instead, opt for phrases like "be careful" or "watch out".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "stern caution" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as an object of a verb (e.g., issue, give, express). It describes the manner in which a warning or advice is given, emphasizing its seriousness. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "stern caution" is a grammatically sound phrase used to convey a serious warning or advice. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, the phrase is relatively rare and best suited for formal or professional contexts, particularly in news media. Alternatives such as "strong warning" or "serious caution" can be used depending on the desired nuance. When deploying such phrase you can have in mind that the frequency of contexts are more likely to appear in News & Media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

serious caution

Replaces "stern" with "serious", conveying the importance of careful consideration.

strong warning

Replaces "caution" with "warning", emphasizing the severity of the advice.

grave warning

Substitutes "stern" with "grave", highlighting the potential danger or serious consequences.

severe warning

Highlights the intensity of the warning and potential repercussions.

strict warning

Emphasizes the need for adherence and compliance.

stern admonishment

Replaces "caution" with a stronger term, "admonishment", suggesting disapproval.

explicit warning

Emphasizes clarity and directness in the warning.

solemn warning

Conveys a serious and sincere tone.

formal warning

Indicates an official or documented warning.

stricture

Replaces the whole expression with a single-word equivalent.

FAQs

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

You can use "stern caution" to express a serious warning about a potential danger or risk. For example, "The doctor issued a "stern caution" about the side effects of the medication."

What phrases are similar to "stern caution"?

Similar phrases include "strong warning", "grave warning", or "serious caution". The choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "stern caution" appropriate for informal communication?

While grammatically correct, "stern caution" is more suitable for formal or professional contexts. In informal settings, less formal phrases like "be careful" or "watch out" might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "stern caution" and "serious warning"?

Both phrases convey a sense of urgency and importance, but "stern caution" might imply a slightly more authoritative or formal source of the warning compared to "serious warning".