to proceed with caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to proceed with caution" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when advising someone to be careful or to take care in a particular situation. Example: "When driving in adverse weather conditions, it is important to proceed with caution to ensure everyone's safety."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You have to proceed with caution".

The New York Times

But organizations need to proceed with caution.

Harvard Business Review

The Legislature needs to proceed with caution.

The New York Times

The right course is to proceed, with caution and care.

The Washington Post

Voters would be well advised to proceed with caution.

The New York Times

His remedy is for law enforcement to "proceed with caution".

The New Yorker

When foraging, you need to proceed with caution.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Some advocates urged the American government to proceed with caution.

The New York Times

But there is reason to proceed with caution.

The New York Times - Magazine

But Faisal Khan urges the new government to proceed with caution.

Nature

Still, it's best to proceed with caution when deciding whether to publicise your personal story.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When advising someone about a potentially risky situation, use "to proceed with caution" to emphasize the need for careful and deliberate action. It's particularly useful when the risks are not immediately obvious.

Common error

While "to proceed with caution" is widely applicable, avoid using it in overly casual settings where a simpler phrase like "be careful" would suffice. It can sound unnecessarily formal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to proceed with caution" functions as an infinitive phrase acting as an adverbial, modifying a verb by expressing the manner in which an action should be performed. As noted by Ludwig, it advises carefulness. Examples show it urging careful action in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

5%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "to proceed with caution" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to advise care and prudence in various situations. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalence across diverse contexts. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and formal business settings, it serves to urge careful consideration and action, especially where potential risks exist. While effective, be mindful of overusing it in overly casual scenarios where simpler expressions might be more appropriate. When used properly, "to proceed with caution" is a valuable tool for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

exercise prudence

Emphasizes the use of good judgment to avoid risks; more formal.

act prudently

Similar to 'exercise prudence' but focuses on the manner of action.

take precautions

Focuses on taking specific actions to prevent potential harm.

be circumspect

Highlights the need for careful consideration of all circumstances.

be careful

A more general and widely applicable expression of warning.

tread carefully

Implies navigating a sensitive or potentially dangerous situation.

advance cautiously

Implies a step-by-step approach with careful assessment at each stage.

move deliberately

Suggests a slow, thoughtful approach to minimize errors.

look before you leap

An idiomatic expression advising careful consideration before acting.

mind how you go

An informal way of telling someone to be careful.

FAQs

What does "to proceed with caution" mean?

The phrase "to proceed with caution" means to act carefully and deliberately, recognizing potential risks and taking steps to minimize them.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "to proceed with caution"?

It's appropriate to use "to proceed with caution" when advising someone to be careful in a situation where there are potential dangers or uncertainties.

What can I say instead of "to proceed with caution"?

You can use alternatives like "be careful", "exercise prudence", or "take precautions" depending on the context.

Is "to proceed with caution" formal or informal?

The phrase "to proceed with caution" has a neutral to slightly formal tone. While widely understood, it's more suited to serious discussions or formal writing than very casual conversation.