walking carefully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "walking carefully" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe the manner in which someone is walking, emphasizing caution or attentiveness. Example: "She was walking carefully along the narrow path to avoid slipping on the wet stones."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

And young lads, all young lads, were walking carefully up to it, and touching it and dashing back.

The New Yorker

Sometimes I would take her outside for fresh air, walking carefully through the birches and pines behind the house and sitting with her on a low stone wall.

The New Yorker

"It was pretty much a no-brainer when we analyzed the farm honestly and truthfully," said Harry Ludlow, walking carefully through his newly planted vegetable patch.

The New York Times

"Anyone who tells you not to vote is just jealous because they are not in power," he said, before walking carefully and slowly into polling booth 18 to become the 26th voter of the day.

The Guardian

For Rouslan Krechetnikov, of the University of California, Santa Barbara – the fluid dynamics Ig Nobel prize winner – inspiration struck at a scientific conference while watching delegates walking carefully with full mugs of hot drinks.

The Guardian

O. K. if that's the way you feel about it!" Then he went across the avenue, walking carefully so as not to spill his drink, entered another saloon, put the highball down on the bar, and placed his chin on his hand, a man alone with his memories.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

The man walked carefully up the hill.

Yale University

The exhibition was cordoned off and visitors had to walk carefully around the perimeter.

The New York Times

The father walked carefully forward, holding the gun to his shoulder.

The New Yorker

He walked carefully, quietly, his eyes blinking as they began to take in the dark.

The New York Times - Magazine

Rinsing, I walked carefully across the wet granite floor to the tubs.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "walking carefully" to emphasize the deliberate and cautious manner of someone's movement, especially in situations where safety or precision is important. For example: "He was walking carefully on the icy sidewalk."

Common error

Avoid redundancy by not using "walking carefully" when the context already implies caution. For example, instead of saying "She was walking carefully through the minefield," consider "She was navigating the minefield," as the environment itself suggests caution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "walking carefully" functions primarily as an adverbial phrase modifying the verb 'walking'. It describes the manner in which the action of walking is performed. As Ludwig AI suggests, the phrase is usable and correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "walking carefully" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase, as confirmed by Ludwig AI, functioning as an adverbial modifier to describe the manner of walking with caution and attentiveness. While relatively uncommon, its use is primarily found in neutral contexts like news and media. Alternatives such as "moving cautiously" or "stepping gingerly" can be used depending on the specific nuance intended. Remember to avoid redundancy and ensure the context warrants the explicit mention of carefulness. "Walking carefully" serves as a clear and effective way to communicate deliberate and cautious movement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stepping carefully

Emphasizes the action of placing each foot down with care.

carefully walking

Inverts the order of words, maintaining the same meaning.

moving cautiously

Emphasizes the general act of moving with caution, not exclusively walking.

stepping gingerly

Highlights the delicacy and care in each step.

proceeding warily

Focuses on the apprehensive nature of the movement.

advancing cautiously

Suggests a slow and guarded progression forward.

treading lightly

Implies avoiding causing disturbance or harm.

navigating deliberately

Highlights the intentional and thoughtful nature of the movement.

picking one's way

Suggests carefully choosing a path, often through difficult terrain.

making one's way gingerly

Highlights the effort and care in moving forward.

FAQs

How can I use "walking carefully" in a sentence?

Use "walking carefully" to describe someone moving with deliberate caution. Example: "The hiker was "walking carefully" along the steep trail."

What are some alternatives to "walking carefully"?

You can use alternatives like "moving cautiously", "stepping gingerly", or "treading lightly" depending on the context.

Is it redundant to use "walking carefully" in certain situations?

Yes, using "walking carefully" can be redundant if the context already implies caution, such as "walking carefully" through a dangerous area. In such cases, simply stating the activity (e.g., navigating the dangerous area) can suffice.

What is the difference between "walking carefully" and "carefully walking"?

While both phrases are grammatically correct, "walking carefully" is more common and natural-sounding. "Carefully walking" places emphasis on the adverb, which can sound slightly awkward in everyday speech. However, "carefully walking" may be appropriate if you want to specifically highlight the carefulness of the action.