wary of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wary of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to indicate that someone is cautious or alert to certain risks. For example, "She is wary of the stock market and doesn't like to invest too much money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're wary of that.

The New York Times

Others are wary of generalizations.

The New York Times

Some are wary of overregulation.

The New York Times

I'm very wary of politics.

The New Yorker

Be wary of bundling arrangements.

Forbes

He's wary of that conclusion.

BBC

But be wary of generalizations.

Science Magazine

Be wary of overheating.

WikiHow

Be wary of authoritarianism.

WikiHow

Be wary of distractions.

WikiHow

Be wary of this.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, consider whether "wary of" accurately reflects the degree of caution you want to express. Alternatives like "suspicious of" or "cautious about" might be more appropriate in certain contexts.

Common error

While "wary of" is generally acceptable, be mindful of its slightly formal tone. In very casual conversation or writing, consider more informal alternatives like "careful about" or "suspicious of" to maintain a natural flow.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "wary of" functions as a prepositional phrase acting as an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate a state of caution or distrust. It describes someone's attitude towards something, expressing a lack of complete trust or confidence, as exemplified by Ludwig's examples like "Be wary of scams."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

51%

News & Media

48%

Science

1%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "wary of" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey caution, distrust, or a guarded approach toward something. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. As highlighted by the examples provided, it's frequently used in news, media and general writing contexts (WikiHow), offering guidance or expressing an opinion. While it maintains a relatively neutral register, it's crucial to consider the context and audience when choosing this phrase, as more informal alternatives might be suitable for casual conversation. Remember to always be "wary of" overusing any phrase and consider related alternatives for a more impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

cautious of

Emphasizes carefulness and alertness to potential dangers or problems. Slightly more formal.

suspicious of

Highlights a feeling of distrust or doubt about someone or something.

leery of

Similar to "wary", but often implies a more instinctive or gut-level distrust.

distrustful of

Directly expresses a lack of trust or confidence.

hesitant about

Indicates reluctance or unwillingness due to uncertainty or doubt.

chary of

Implies a careful and reluctant approach, often due to past negative experiences.

on guard against

Suggests a state of readiness to defend against potential threats or dangers.

mindful of

Highlights awareness and consideration of potential risks or consequences.

circumspect about

Emphasizes prudence and careful consideration before acting or speaking.

apprehensive about

Expresses anxiety or fear about something that might happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "wary of" to express caution or distrust, such as "She is "wary of" strangers" or "He is "wary of" get-rich-quick schemes".

What's a more formal alternative to "wary of"?

More formal alternatives include "circumspect about" or "chary of". For example, instead of saying "They are "wary of" the new policy", you could say "They are circumspect about the new policy".

What can I say instead of "I'm wary of"?

You can use alternatives like "I'm "cautious of"", "I'm "suspicious of"", or "I'm "leery of"" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "wary to" a correct alternative to "wary of"?

No, "wary to" is grammatically incorrect. The correct preposition to use with "wary" is "of". Therefore, "wary of" is the proper phrasing.