beware

beware — verb

1. used to tell someone that a person, animal, thing, or situation may cause harm o

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C1
釋義

used to tell someone that a person, animal, thing, or situation may cause harm or trouble, so they should stay alert.

例句

Beware of the wet floor near the school kitchen.

beware of + noun

Coach Lin told the runners to beware of loose stones.

reported warning with beware of

同義詞
  • be careful

    broader and less forceful; it does not always suggest a specific danger

  • watch out

    more conversational and common in quick spoken warnings

  • guard against

    more formal and often used for risks you can prevent by planning

  • mind

    especially British and often used for immediate physical dangers

文法句型

beware of + noun

beware + direct object

beware when + clause

用法筆記

Often followed by of + noun in everyday use. A direct object without of, as in 'Beware the step', is much more formal or fixed; sense 2 is the sign wording rather than a normal spoken warning.

常見錯誤

❌Beware from pickpockets in the market.
✅Beware of pickpockets in the market.
💡the usual preposition after 'beware' is 'of'.
❌Please be beware of that dog.
✅Please beware of that dog.
💡'beware' is already a verb, so do not add 'be' before it.

2. written on a notice, gate, or label to show that there is danger nearby.

2.動詞不及物C1
釋義

written on a notice, gate, or label to show that there is danger nearby.

例句

A red sign at the gate said, 'Beware of the dog.'

common warning sign: beware of + noun

The notice on the cave door simply said, 'Beware.'

sign use without an object

同義詞
  • warning

    a general noun for any alert, not the exact wording on the sign

  • caution

    common on signs, often slightly less dramatic than 'beware'

  • danger

    stronger sign language that states the threat more directly

文法句型

Beware.

Beware of + noun

用法筆記

Usually appears alone or before of + noun on notices, gates, posters, and labels. Distinguish from sense 1, which is the ordinary verb used when a speaker directly warns someone.

常見錯誤

❌The sign said beware for dogs.
✅The sign said beware of dogs.
💡on warning signs, 'beware' usually takes 'of' before the danger.