taking precautions

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "taking precautions" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing safety measures or actions taken to prevent potential problems or dangers. Example: "Before starting the experiment, the team was diligent about taking precautions to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sensible lovers taking, precautions?

The New Yorker

"Here we're taking precautions.

The New York Times

But Greeks are taking precautions.

Independent

Taking precautions is crucial here, too.

The New York Times

Even so, officials are taking precautions.

The New York Times

People are concerned, and they're taking precautions".

The New York Times

But some residents were already taking precautions.

The New York Times

So Mr. Mejia is taking precautions.

The New York Times

Still, the Bohras are taking precautions.

The New York Times

The company seems to be taking precautions to avoid that.

The New York Times

TV executives are taking precautions against camera crashers, muggers,….

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about safety or potential risks, use the phrase "taking precautions" to clearly communicate the actions being taken to prevent negative outcomes.

Common error

Avoid implying that "taking precautions" guarantees complete safety. Instead, frame it as a measure to reduce risk, as no precaution can eliminate all possibilities of harm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "taking precautions" functions as a gerund phrase, often acting as a noun within a sentence. It describes the action of implementing measures to avoid potential dangers or negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

5%

Social Media

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "taking precautions" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that describes the act of implementing measures to prevent potential harm or negative outcomes. As Ludwig AI validates, it is suitable across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and scientific publications. The phrase conveys a sense of proactive risk management, and while it doesn't guarantee complete safety, it indicates a deliberate effort to minimize potential problems. Alternatives such as "exercising caution" or "implementing safety measures" offer similar meanings, but "taking precautions" provides a specific emphasis on preventative actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

taking preventive steps

Similar to "taking precautions" but highlights the individual actions.

exercising caution

Focuses on the act of being careful and mindful of potential dangers.

implementing safety measures

Emphasizes the formal application of specific protective actions.

adopting preventative measures

Highlights the proactive nature of the actions taken to avert potential harm.

being vigilant

Stresses continuous attentiveness to potential threats.

ensuring safety

Highlights the overall goal of maintaining a secure environment.

safeguarding oneself

Highlights the personal protection aspect.

guarding against risks

Focuses on defending against potential hazards.

mitigating potential threats

Emphasizes reducing the severity of possible dangers.

protecting against hazards

Focuses on defense against specific dangers.

FAQs

How can I use "taking precautions" in a sentence?

You can use "taking precautions" to describe actions done to prevent something bad from happening. For example: "The company is "taking precautions" to protect its data from cyberattacks."

What are some alternatives to "taking precautions"?

Some alternatives to "taking precautions" include "exercising caution", "implementing safety measures", or "adopting preventative measures".

Which is more formal, "taking precautions" or "being careful"?

"Taking precautions" generally sounds more formal and deliberate than "being careful". "Being careful" is suitable for everyday conversation, while "taking precautions" is often used in professional or official contexts.

What's the difference between "taking precautions" and "taking risks"?

"Taking precautions" involves actions to minimize potential harm, while "taking risks" involves actions with uncertain outcomes, potentially leading to gains or losses. They represent opposite approaches to dealing with uncertainty.