Cool MateCareful with that thing vs Mind
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Careful with that thing
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Mind
Top 1,000 (very common)A2noun
Most formal: MindMost common: Mind
| Careful with that thing | Mind | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈkeəfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ//🇺🇸 //ˈkerfəl wɪð ðæt θɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/maɪnd/"]/🇺🇸 /["/maɪnd/"]/ |
| Meaning | Be cautious when using or handling something. | The part of you that thinks and feels. |
| Example | I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. | She has a brilliant mind for mathematics. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | - | A2 |
| Part of speech | noun | |
| Collocations | Careful with your words, Careful with the fragile items, Careful with the equipment | human, conscious, subconscious, come into, come to, cross, work, drift, stray, in your mind, in mind, on your mind, at the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, human, conscious, subconscious, come into, come to, cross, work, drift, stray, in your mind, in mind, on your mind, at the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, human, conscious, subconscious, come into, come to, cross, work, drift, stray, in your mind, in mind, on your mind, at the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, human, conscious, subconscious, come into, come to, cross, work, drift, stray, in your mind, in mind, on your mind, at the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind, human, conscious, subconscious, come into, come to, cross, work, drift, stray, in your mind, in mind, on your mind, at the back of your mind, in the back of your mind, at the forefront of your mind |
| Antonyms | - | ignorance, disregard, carelessness |
| Common mistakes | Using it in overly formal contexts., Not addressing who the warning is directed to., Ignoring the context of potential danger or delicacy. | Confusing 'mind' with 'brain' - 'mind' refers to thoughts and feelings, while 'brain' is the physical organ., Using 'minded' when you mean 'mindful' - 'minded' refers to having a particular inclination., Saying 'mind give me a moment' instead of 'mind giving me a moment?' |
| Usage notes | Used informally to warn someone to be cautious with an object, often used when the object seems dangerous or delicate. | Used in various contexts, such as 'Mind your manners' (casual) or 'To have something in mind' (neutral). Avoid using 'mind' in overly formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Careful with that thing vs Mind
What's the difference between Careful with that thing and Mind?
Careful with that thing: Be cautious when using or handling something. Mind: The part of you that thinks and feels.
Which is more formal: Careful with that thing and Mind?
Mind is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Careful with that thing and Mind?
Mind is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Careful with that thing: I said, 'Careful with that thing!' as she picked up the glass vase. Mind: She has a brilliant mind for mathematics.
Can I use Careful with that thing and Mind interchangeably?
Not always. Careful with that thing and Mind 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.