very wary

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "very wary" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is extremely cautious or careful about something, often due to a sense of distrust or concern. Example: "After the recent incidents, she was very wary of sharing personal information online."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They're very wary.

The New Yorker

I'm very wary.

The Guardian

I'm very wary of politics.

The New Yorker

"I'm very wary of stillness," she says.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Acts are very, very wary," he said.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

They're very wary of the outside".

The New York Times - Sports

"I was very wary," she said.

The New York Times

I'm very wary, I have trust issues.

The Guardian - Music

Catastrophising Be very wary of overreaction.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

So I'm very wary of him.

The Guardian - Sport

Be very wary of doing so.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "very wary", ensure the context clearly indicates the source or reason for the wariness to provide a complete understanding to the reader.

Common error

Avoid using "very wary" when a milder term like "cautious" or "attentive" would suffice, as overstating the level of concern can sound unnatural or exaggerate the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very wary" primarily functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, intensifying the adjective "wary". According to Ludwig AI, it describes a heightened state of caution or suspicion. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating the subject's carefulness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very wary" is a commonly used adjective phrase to express a heightened state of caution or suspicion. According to Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and versatile, fitting well in neutral to professional contexts, especially within news, wiki, and science domains. While "very wary" is appropriate in many scenarios, alternative phrases like "highly suspicious" or "extremely cautious" can offer nuanced expressions. When using "very wary", ensure the reason for the wariness is clear to provide context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incredibly leery

Similar in meaning, but slightly more informal and emphasizes a gut-level distrust.

extremely cautious

Emphasizes carefulness and avoidance of risks, potentially more proactive than "very wary".

unusually cautious

Highlights that the level of caution is higher than what is typically expected.

highly suspicious

Indicates a stronger sense of doubt and mistrust compared to "very wary".

rather circumspect

Implies careful consideration of all circumstances before acting or speaking.

markedly suspicious

Similar to "highly suspicious" but suggests the suspicion is easily observed.

deeply distrustful

Highlights a lack of trust, suggesting a potentially negative prior experience.

quite apprehensive

Focuses on anxiety and unease about a future event or situation.

intensely vigilant

Stresses constant watchfulness and alertness to potential dangers.

noticeably reluctant

Indicates an unwillingness or disinclination to do something.

FAQs

How can I use "very wary" in a sentence?

You can use "very wary" to express caution or suspicion about someone or something. For example, "After the scam, she was "very wary" of online transactions."

What are some alternatives to "very wary"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "highly suspicious", "extremely cautious", or "deeply distrustful".

Is it correct to say "I am very wary about something"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "I am "very wary" about something". It indicates that you are cautious or suspicious about a particular matter.

What is the difference between "very wary" and "slightly wary"?

"Very wary" indicates a strong sense of caution or suspicion, while "slightly wary" suggests a milder level of concern. The choice depends on the degree of caution you wish to express.