Practice
Beware of: use this warning phrase correctly
Sign in to saveBeware of the wet floor. This short warning tells someone what to watch for before a problem happens.
Use beware of with a noun, pronoun, or -ing form to give a clear warning about a possible danger or problem.
Read and practice
Read the examples and try the written questions in this guide. Listening recordings are not available for this lesson yet.
Try the written questions
Beware of loose gravel. /bɪˈweər əv luːs ˈɡrævəl/
The short answer
Use beware of before the danger, risk, or problem you want to mention. Follow it with a noun, a pronoun, or a verb ending in -ing.
Beware of falling branches.
Why it works: Falling branches names the risk, so it follows of.
5 more examples
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Beware of the wet floor.
The noun phrase names the surface that may cause someone to slip.
Not this:Be careful
on the wet floor. What changes: Be careful is a common alternative, but beware keeps the fixed preposition of. -
Beware of false information online.
False information is the possible problem after of.
Not this:Check information online
before you share it. What changes: This gives practical advice without using the warning phrase. -
Beware of touching the hot pan.
Touching is an -ing form because it names an action to avoid.
Not this:
Do not touchthe hot pan. What changes: A negative imperative gives the same direct instruction in a different form. -
Beware of them when they promise instant results.
Them is a pronoun, so it can follow of when the people are already known in the conversation.
Not this:Be careful
with peoplewho promise instant results. What changes: With belongs to the phrase be careful with, not to beware. -
Beware of low branches on the path.
The plural noun phrase identifies what a person should watch for.
Not this:Watch
out for low brancheson the path. What changes: Watch out for is a common conversational alternative with a different fixed preposition.
Read the full guide
Treat beware of as one fixed warning pattern. First name the risk after of. If the risk is an action, use an -ing form: beware of touching the wire. Use a direct imperative such as Be careful when you want a softer or more ordinary instruction.
Use beware of for a warning
Beware of tells someone to notice a danger or possible problem. It is an imperative, so the subject you is understood: (You) beware of the danger. The phrase is often brief because a warning needs to be easy to see or hear.
Beware of the broken glass.
The warning identifies the broken glass as the risk. It does not describe a future event.
Which phrase warns someone about a possible risk: beware of or beware for?
Use beware of: Beware of the broken glass.
Keep of after beware
When beware names a danger, of is the normal preposition. Do not use beware for to mean watch out for. English has several warning expressions, and each one has its own pattern: beware of, watch out for, and be careful with.
Beware of messages that ask for your password.
Beware for messages is not the usual English pattern. Use of after beware.
Complete the warning: Beware ___ scams that create false urgency.
Write of: Beware of scams that create false urgency.
Put a noun or pronoun after of
A noun phrase after of can name a person, thing, condition, or idea. A pronoun also works when the listener already knows what it refers to. Choose a word that clearly identifies the problem.
Beware of strong currents near the rocks.
Strong currents is a noun phrase. It tells the reader exactly what to avoid.
I know that offer looks good, but beware of it.
It replaces the offer, which has already been mentioned.
Use an -ing form for an action
Use an -ing form after of when the warning concerns an action. The -ing form acts like the name of that activity: falling, leaving, sharing, or making. Do not use the base verb directly after of.
Beware of leaving food outside in hot weather.
Leaving names the action that may cause a problem. Beware of leave food is not grammatical.
Which form fits after beware of: make or making a quick decision?
Use making: Beware of making a quick decision when you need more facts.
Match the tone to the situation
Beware can sound firm or formal. It works well on a sign, in a notice, or when the speaker wants a clear warning. In an ordinary conversation, watch out for and be careful with may sound more natural. The risk and audience help you choose.
Beware of loose wires in this area.
This sounds suitable for a safety notice because it gives a direct warning.
Watch out for loose wires near your desk.
Watch out for can suit a casual spoken reminder.
Before you go
Remember this
Use beware of to warn about a danger or problem. Put a noun, pronoun, or -ing form after of. Remember that beware for does not express this meaning, and choose watch out for or be careful with when a less formal phrase fits better.
Practice with the written examples
You can practice with the written questions in the Learn tab. Each answer includes an explanation.
Try the written questionsListening test not available yet
This lesson does not have the recordings needed for a listening test. Use the written questions in the guide to check your understanding.
Try the written questionsQuestions about "Beware of: use this warning phrase correctly"
What does beware of mean?
Beware of means be careful about or watch out for something that may cause harm, trouble, or disappointment. It introduces the particular danger or problem that the speaker wants the listener to notice.
Beware of the wet floor.
Do I say beware of or beware for?
Use beware of when you name a danger or problem. Beware for is not the normal phrase for this meaning. Compare beware of a scam with watch out for a scam, where the two warning expressions use different prepositions.
Be careful on the wet floor.
What can come after beware of?
Put a noun phrase, a pronoun, or an -ing form after beware of. You can warn about a thing, refer back to a known problem with it or them, or name an action such as sharing private information.
Beware of false information online.
Can I use beware of with a verb?
Yes, use a verb ending in -ing after of when you mean an action. For example, beware of making assumptions names the activity that may cause a problem. Do not place the base verb directly after of.
Check information online before you share it.
Is beware of formal?
Beware of often sounds formal or urgent, so it is common in notices, signs, and concise warnings. In relaxed conversation, watch out for or be careful with may fit the situation better, depending on what you are warning about.
Beware of touching the hot pan.