watch out

USAGE SUMMARY

"watch out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is usually used to warn somebody about a potential danger or to caution somebody to be careful. For example, "Watch out for the slippery patch on the sidewalk!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Watch out!" it said.

Independent

And watch out!

Independent

Watch out, New York.

The New York Times

Watch out, women!

Independent

Watch out for?

Independent

Watch out, Tavi Gevinson.

The New York Times

Watch out for exclusions.

Independent

Watch out, Wall Street.

The New York Times

Watch out, Tinseltown!

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Watch out for dragons.

The Guardian - Music

"Watch out," it warned.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "watch out" to deliver a prompt warning of immediate danger or potential harm. It is suitable for spoken and informal written contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "watch out" in formal documents or professional communications. Opt for more sophisticated and precise language that clearly articulates the specific risk and necessary precautions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "watch out" is as an imperative verb phrase, used to issue a warning or caution. As Ludwig AI shows, it prompts immediate attention to a potential hazard. It's a direct call to action, urging vigilance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

25%

News & Media

28%

Science

47%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "watch out" is a grammatically correct and very common imperative phrase used to warn someone of potential danger. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use. While versatile, it leans towards informal contexts, making it less suitable for formal or professional communications. Alternatives like "be careful" or "beware" may be more appropriate in such settings. When it comes to usage patterns, "watch out" is predominantly found in Wiki, News & Media and Science sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look out

A direct synonym, differing only in the specific verb used to convey attentiveness.

be careful

Emphasizes the need for caution in a general sense, shifting focus from immediate threat to overall prudence.

mind out

Commonly used in British English, alerting someone to a potential hazard in their vicinity.

beware

A more formal and emphatic warning, implying a significant potential danger.

keep an eye out

Implies ongoing monitoring for a specific potential threat or event.

take care

A broader expression of concern, encompassing both immediate and general well-being.

heads up

An informal warning about an imminent event, often used to prepare someone for something unexpected.

exercise caution

Formal instruction to be careful, especially used when the situation might be misleading or ambiguous.

be vigilant

Suggests a need for sustained attention and alertness to potential dangers.

pay attention

Highlights the importance of focusing one's awareness on the surroundings to avoid problems.

FAQs

How to use "watch out" in a sentence?

"Watch out" is typically used as an imperative to warn someone of immediate danger, as in "Watch out! There's a car coming!". It can also be followed by "for" to specify the potential hazard: "Watch out for ice on the road."

What can I say instead of "watch out"?

You can use alternatives like "be careful", "look out", or "beware" depending on the context.

Is "watch out" formal or informal?

"Watch out" is generally considered informal. In more formal settings, it's better to use phrases like "exercise caution" or "be vigilant".

What's the difference between "watch out" and "be careful"?

"Watch out" typically warns of an immediate, specific danger, while "be careful" is a more general expression of concern, advising caution in a broader sense. For example, you might say "Watch out!" when someone is about to trip, but "Be careful" when someone is going for a hike in a potentially dangerous area.