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Glite Dictionary
cautious statement

cautious statement

5.1
A careful comment that avoids strong claims or promises
  • noun
translation icon : declaración cautelosa
  • A more cautious statement of the conclusion, given this methodology, might have been that Cappelen has found no compelling argument for Centrality, rather than the stronger official line that Centrality is not true.

Examples

  • Despite the investigators' cautious statements, the case for the potential clinical application of this treatment is far from compelling.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Considered dispassionately and at a distance, however, the report is a carefully written and cautious statement of the prevailing uncertainties and scientific judgment concerning the attribution of global climate change to human activities.

    Academic text (1997)

  • This sits very comfortably with the more cautious statement from the preface to the NCS Workshop, which simply states:

    Blog text (29)

  • Japan's foreign minister Yohei Kono issued a cautious statement in response to the ruling.

    Academic text (2002)

  • The company released a cautious statement regarding the potential risks of their new product.

  • In response to the recent events, the government issued a cautious statement urging citizens to remain calm and stay informed.

  • The scientist's cautious statement reflected the uncertainties surrounding the results of the research study.

Synonyms

warning
vscautious statement
∞ 1.0

A statement or sign that tells people about danger before it happens

is phrased with careful qualification to avoid error or risk
caution
vscautious statement
58 1.6

Words that warn people to avoid danger or bad behavior

is stated with careful qualification rather than blunt advice

Antonyms

to make a bold statement
1 4.6

To say or show something that attracts attention and shows confidence

How Appropriate

now
∞ 1.0
cautious statement
5.1
ill-timed
3 5.5

Surface Forms

cautious statement singular
cautious statements plural

Morphology

cautious + statement

The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'cautious' (avoiding risk) qualifies 'statement' (an expressed utterance), so the meaning 'a statement made with careful qualification' follows straightforwardly from the parts. This adjective+noun pattern is common across languages and in English, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the intended meaning.

Etymology

The cautious statement brings to mind a person testing each step before they move: to be cautious is to try to 'avoid risk', and a statement is what you say. So a cautious statement is speech chosen carefully and kept simple to avoid mistakes or strong promises.