Cool MateBe careful vs Careful with that thing
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Be careful
Top 2,000 (common)
Careful with that thing
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Be careful
| Be careful | Careful with that thing | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //biː ˈkɛf.əl//🇺🇸 //bi ˈkɛr.fəl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈkeəfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkerfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ// |
| Meaning | Pay attention and avoid danger. | Be cautious when using or handling something. |
| Example | Be careful when crossing the street. | I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | be careful with, be careful of, be careful about | Careful with your words, Careful with the fragile items, Careful with the equipment |
| Antonyms | be reckless, be careless | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'be cautious' – they are similar but have slightly different nuances., Overusing in casual conversations – can be seen as overly protective., Mispronouncing in fast speech. | Using it in overly formal contexts., Not addressing who the warning is directed to., Ignoring the context of potential danger or delicacy. |
| Usage notes | Used to advise someone to take care in a specific situation. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, like when driving or handling breakable items. | Used informally to warn someone to be cautious with an object, often used when the object seems dangerous or delicate. |
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Frequently asked questions: Be careful vs Careful with that thing
What's the difference between Be careful and Careful with that thing?
Be careful: Pay attention and avoid danger. Careful with that thing: Be cautious when using or handling something.
Which is more formal: Be careful and Careful with that thing?
Be careful is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Be careful: Be careful when crossing the street. Careful with that thing: I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase.
Can I use Be careful and Careful with that thing interchangeably?
Not always. Be careful and Careful with that thing are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.