we must exercise caution

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "we must exercise caution" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when advising someone to be careful or to consider potential risks in a situation. Example: "Before making any investments, we must exercise caution to avoid unnecessary losses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

But, in the pursuit of said betterment, we must exercise caution and thoughtfulness in regard to the use of said resources.

University of California, Berkeley

Kendra Okonski International Policy Network London As a scientist disinterested in political positions, but deeply involved in climate science and sea-level changes, I agree with Diana Liverman that we must exercise caution with the Earth.

The Guardian

Thus, we must exercise caution: we must know the intention of the graph, what it is meant to portray; we cannot divine it purely from the form.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

We must exercise caution when speaking to friends, family and acquaintances because we never know how the conversation will be related to the next person.

Huffington Post

However, we must exercise caution in constraining model inputs.

Bulletin of Volcanology

We conducted a large number of statistical tests, and although we corrected for multiple testing, we must exercise caution when interpreting the results.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Although we agree that governments must exercise caution in gradually reducing crisis-response spending, we think it would be folly to take comfort in today's low borrowing costs, much less to interpret them as an "all clear" signal for a further explosion of debt.

HuffPost

We could not determine the characteristics of women who did not present for screening, and therefore must exercise caution in extrapolating our results to the population as a whole.

AIDS and Behavior

In the weeks before a prizefight, a boxer must exercise caution.

The New York Times - Sports

Principal Investigators and business offices must exercise caution in applying the guidelines contained in this policy.

Yale University

Engineers must exercise caution when applying the link between river patterns and in-channel characteristics to river restoration efforts.

Geomorphology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we must exercise caution", clearly state the reason for caution to provide context and prevent ambiguity. For example, "We must exercise caution when interpreting these results due to the small sample size."

Common error

Avoid using "we must exercise caution" as a generic warning. Always specify what actions or interpretations require caution, and why. Unsubstantiated caution can sound alarmist or unclear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we must exercise caution" functions as a directive, urging careful consideration and measured action. It leverages the modal verb "must" to convey necessity, while "exercise caution" specifies the action of being careful. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

36%

Academia

21%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "we must exercise caution" serves as a directive to proceed carefully and thoughtfully, especially when facing uncertainty or potential risks. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically sound and suitable for various formal and neutral contexts, including science, news, and academia. While relatively uncommon, its usage is clear and effective in advising restraint and thoughtfulness. When using the phrase, it's best to specify the reason for caution to provide clarity and avoid vagueness. Alternatives include "we need to be careful" and "we should proceed with caution", which can be useful depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we need to be careful

Directly replaces "exercise caution" with a simpler expression of carefulness.

we should proceed with caution

Replaces "must" with "should", softening the obligation, and emphasizes the act of proceeding deliberately.

we ought to be wary

Substitutes "exercise caution" with "be wary", highlighting the need to be watchful and alert.

we have to be vigilant

Focuses on the need for attentiveness and alertness, rather than general caution.

we should tread carefully

Uses a metaphor to suggest navigating a situation with care to avoid problems.

it is important to be mindful

Shifts the focus to being aware and thoughtful about potential consequences.

prudence is required

Emphasizes the necessity of wise and careful judgment.

we need to be circumspect

Highlights the need for careful consideration of all circumstances before acting.

we must be judicious

Emphasizes the need for sound judgment and careful decision-making.

discretion is advised

Suggests the importance of acting with tact and restraint.

FAQs

What does "we must exercise caution" mean?

The phrase "we must exercise caution" means that we should be careful and thoughtful, considering all potential risks and consequences before acting or making a decision.

When is it appropriate to use "we must exercise caution"?

It's appropriate to use "we must exercise caution" when facing uncertainty, dealing with sensitive information, making critical decisions, or handling situations where mistakes could have significant negative consequences. It is also appropriate when analyzing data, as illustrated by the sentence 'We conducted a large number of statistical tests, and although we corrected for multiple testing, "we must exercise caution" when interpreting the results.'

What can I say instead of "we must exercise caution"?

You can use alternatives like "we need to be careful", "we should proceed with caution", or "it is important to be mindful" depending on the context.

How can I make the phrase "we must exercise caution" more specific?

To make the phrase more specific, follow it with a clarifying statement. For example, instead of just saying "we must exercise caution", say "we must exercise caution when interpreting the data due to potential biases".