What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
carefully
Example
She carefully placed the fragile vase on the shelf. [carefully: adverb]
Example
He read the instructions carefully before assembling the furniture. [carefully: adverb]
cautiously
Example
The hiker cautiously navigated the slippery trail. [cautiously: adverb]
Example
She approached the unfamiliar dog cautiously, unsure of its temperament. [cautiously: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Carefully is more commonly used than cautiously in everyday language. Carefully is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while cautiously is slightly less common but still widely understood.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between carefully and cautiously?
Both carefully and cautiously can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, carefully is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, making it slightly more formal than cautiously.
