we were cautioned

USAGE SUMMARY

"we were cautioned" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is often used in the context of getting an admonishment or warning from someone. For example: We were cautioned by our professor not to arrive late to class.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

As kids, we were cautioned against driving down Field Store Road, because it was "Klan territory".

The New Yorker

The single-celled organisms appeared to be harmless, though we were cautioned not to touch anything, to keep the windows shut, to wash our hands.

The New Yorker

All the same, we were cautioned not to turn somersaults on the low iron railings that lined the pathways, lest "passing men might see your underwear".

The New Yorker

We were cautioned not to pocket samples of either type bad luck is supposed to come to those who do.

Forbes

"Don't eat so much, or you'll get fat," we were cautioned by peers, mothers, fashion magazines.

Huffington Post

We had been selected, along with a boy named Jason from another school, to learn more about classical liberalism (not to be confused with plain-old liberalism, we were cautioned).

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

"We were cautioning everyone to read this, and doing our due diligence with the Council in closed session," Ms. Gallant said.

The New York Times

In graduate school, we are cautioned against spreading ourselves too thin.

Science Magazine

We're cautioned, "enjoy life while you can" or "aging is brutal," a perspective Susan Jacoby shared in her latest book, "Never Say Die".

Huffington Post

Corker is in Afghanistan and Reed is in Rhode Island, so we are cautioned that there will be a satellite delay in our conversation with Corker, and we need to be on our guard for Reed to start referring to a water fountain as a "bubbler".

Huffington Post

"Delaying a vote in Congress would send the wrong message, in my view, just as we are asking the international community to take a stand and as we are cautioning the Iraqi regime to respond and consider its options," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "we were cautioned", specify who issued the caution and, if possible, the specific reason for the warning to provide clarity and context.

Common error

Avoid using "we were cautioned" without specifying the source or the reason for the caution. This can leave the reader wondering who provided the warning and why it was necessary. Always add context to the caution.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "we were cautioned" functions as a passive voice construction where the subject (we) receives the action of being cautioned. It indicates that advice or warning was given. Ludwig AI shows various examples where this phrase is used to convey recommendations and warnings in different situations.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

17%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "we were cautioned" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to indicate that a group received a warning or advice. According to Ludwig AI, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts. When using this phrase, it's best to specify the source and the reason for the caution to provide clarity. Alternatives include "we were warned" or "we were advised", depending on the context. Avoiding vague language and providing specific details enhances communication effectiveness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

we received a warning

Focuses on the receipt of a warning, highlighting the action of being warned rather than the caution itself.

we were advised against

Emphasizes the advice given to avoid a particular action or situation.

we were warned

A more direct and forceful expression of being alerted to danger or potential negative consequences.

we were alerted to

Focuses on bringing something to someone's attention, often a potential problem or risk.

we were given notice

Highlights the act of formally informing someone about something, which may or may not be a warning.

we were urged to be careful

Emphasizes the encouragement to exercise caution and prudence.

we were told to be wary

Highlights the advice to be suspicious and on guard against potential dangers.

caution was advised

A passive construction focusing on the recommendation of caution.

we were given a heads-up

An informal way of saying that someone was given advance warning or information.

we were apprised of the risks

Focuses on the act of informing someone of potential dangers or negative outcomes.

FAQs

What does "we were cautioned" mean?

The phrase "we were cautioned" means that a group of people received a warning or advice to be careful about something. It implies potential risks or negative consequences if the advice is not followed.

How can I use "we were cautioned" in a sentence?

You can use "we were cautioned" to describe a situation where a group of people received a warning. For example, "We were cautioned about the icy roads before we left."

What's the difference between "we were cautioned" and "we were warned"?

"We were cautioned" suggests a milder form of warning or advice, while "we were warned" implies a stronger, more serious warning about potential danger or negative consequences.

What are some alternatives to saying "we were cautioned"?

Some alternatives to "we were cautioned" include "we were advised", "we were alerted", or "we received a warning", depending on the specific context and the level of urgency you want to convey.