precaution meaning

precaution means 'a step taken to prevent something bad from happening'.

precaution :

safety measure, preventive step

noun

▪ We took precautions before the storm.

▪ We took safety steps before the storm.

▪ Wearing a helmet is a precaution.

▪ Wearing a helmet is a safety measure.

paraphrasing

▪ safeguard – safety measure

▪ protection – preventive step

▪ prevention – safety measure

▪ caution – carefulness

precaution

Pronunciation

precaution [prɪˈkɔːʃən]

The stress is on 'cau' and sounds like 'pri-kaw-shun'.

Common phrases and grammar about precaution

precaution - Common meaning

noun
safety measure, preventive step

Part of Speech Changes for "precaution"

▪ precautious (adjective) – careful, taking care

▪ precautiously (adverb) – in a careful way

Common Expressions with "precaution"

▪ take a precaution – to do something for safety

▪ as a precaution – for safety reasons

▪ safety precaution – a step for safety

▪ precautionary measure – a preventive step

Important examples of precaution in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, precaution is often used to mean a preventive measure.

▪Always take precautions when driving in the rain.
▪Always take safety steps when driving in the rain.

Example of a confusing word: precautionary (preventive)

▪Always take precautionary when driving in the rain.
▪Always take preventive measures when driving in the rain.
"Precaution" is a noun meaning "a measure taken in advance to prevent harm or danger." In the sentence "Always take precautions when driving in the rain," the usage is correct and natural. "Precautionary," however, is an adjective meaning "intended to prevent harm," and it cannot stand alone as a noun in this context. The sentence "Always take precautionary" is grammatically incorrect because "precautionary" needs to modify a noun, such as "measures." Therefore, "precaution" is the correct choice here.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

Precaution is a noun that often appears in grammar questions as a subject or object.

▪They took every precaution possible.
▪They took every safety measure possible.

precaution

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

take precautions

'do things to stay safe', used when talking about safety actions.

▪Take precautions when using power tools.
▪Do safety actions when using power tools.

err on the side of caution

means 'to be extra careful'.

▪It's better to err on the side of caution.
▪It's better to be extra careful.

Differences between similar words and precaution

precaution

,

safeguard

differences

Precaution is a general safety step, while safeguard is a specific protection measure.

precaution
▪We took precautions before traveling.
▪We took safety steps before traveling.
safeguard
▪The firewall acts as a safeguard for data.
▪The firewall acts as a protection for data.

precaution

,

protection

differences

Precaution is a preventive action, while protection is a defense against harm.

precaution
▪They took precautions against the flu.
▪Sunscreen provides defense from the sun.
protection
▪Sunscreen offers protection from the sun.
▪Sunscreen provides defense from the sun.

Words with the same origin as precaution

The origin of precaution

The word 'precaution' comes from Latin 'praecautio', meaning 'to take care beforehand'.

Word structure

It has the prefix pre (before), root caut (care), and suffix ion (noun), meaning 'care taken beforehand'.

Words with the same origin

The root of precaution is caut (care). Words with the same root include caution (carefulness).

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