Key Difference: We all know that careful and cautious are similar to each other. These two terms are treated as synonyms because they warn to avoid danger. But there are some differences between these two terms. In this tutorial, we will show you the contradictions between careful and cautious in the English language with proper explanations and examples. Let’s see them below.
Careful: Charlie, be careful.
Cautious: She is always alert and cautious.
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Careful:
Taking care.
The term “careful” is used to represent taking care of something or recognizing the danger. In other words, preparing accordingly to face the danger. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. She will lose everything if she is not careful. From this statement, we might understand that someone is not careful and lose everything. Here we come up with another example for your reference. Tom, you have to be careful! From this statement, we might understand that, someone said that Tom might be careful.
How Do We Spell the Word Careful?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Careful is ˈkɛːfʊl,ˈkɛːf(ə)l. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Careful” by syllables.
- The word “Careful” has two syllables.
- It can be divided into “Care-ful.”
Using “Careful” in sentences:
- Please be careful.
- You should be careful while choosing your friends.
- She is not so careful.
- Please be more careful next time.
- You should be more careful.
Cautious:
Be aware.
The term “cautious” represents avoiding risks and danger before happening something. Let’s see an example to make it clear for you. Don’t worry, he is a very cautious driver. From this sentence, we might understand that, someone said that he will drive carefully, so you don’t have to be worried. Here we come up with another example. This man is definitely being very cautious.
How Do We Spell the Word Cautious?
Phonetics pronunciation of the word Cautious is ˈkɔːʃəs. And this word sounds like the following audio.
Enunciation:
Syllabification refers to the process of division of words into smaller parts. It is commonly known as syllables. With its help, you can easily read and spell the word accurately. Here, you will see how to split the word “Cautious” by syllables.
- The word “Cautious” has two syllables.
- It can be divided into “Cau-tious.”
Using “Cautious” in sentences:
- You have to be cautious.
- Be alert and cautious.
- From now onwards, I will be much more cautious.
- They are watchful and cautious.
- We should be extremely cautious.
Compare: Careful Vs Cautious
This table will show the contradiction between the words’ Careful and Cautious.
| Careful | Cautious | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | It refers to taking care of something. | Cautious means, being aware to avoid danger. |
| Synonyms | Alert, watchful, attentive, prudent, mindful | Careful, aware, vigilant, cagey |
| Antonyms | Careless, inattentive | Incautious, reckless |
| Etymology | Old English carful (see care, -ful). | mid 17th century: from caution, on the pattern of pairs such as ambition, ambitious . |
| Examples | Be careful while you dance. You should be careful of what you say. They made careful advance planning. You must be careful. | This is a more cautious view. Sheela has to be cautious. The reporter is very cautious. I really think that people should be extremely cautious. |
Resources and References:
Resources: Cambridge Dictionary (Careful, Cautious), Merriam-Webster (Careful, Cautious), Oxford learner’s dictionaries (Careful, Cautious), Dictionary.com (Careful, Cautious)
Reference: Dictionary.Cambridge.org[1], Merriam-Webster.com[2], Oxfordlearner’sdictionaries.com[3], Dictionary.com[4].