Caveat

How it is used

Used when presenting results honestly: 'One caveat is that ...', 'with the caveat that ...', 'an important caveat'. It does the job of hedging in a single word. It comes from a Latin word meaning 'let him beware'.

Example sentences

1. One important caveat is that all data were self-reported.

2. The results are promising, with the caveat that the follow-up period was short.

Common collocations

• one caveat is that
• with the caveat that
• an important caveat
• add a caveat

Related terms

• limitationA weakness or restriction in a study's design, sample or methods that affects how far its findings can be generalized or trusted.
• hedgingUsing cautious language, such as may, might, appear to or suggest, so that a claim is only as strong as the evidence allows.
• tentativeNot certain or final; said of conclusions, explanations or plans that may change when more evidence becomes available.
• to some extentPartly but not completely; used to limit how strongly a claim is made.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• caveat · Data Science & Analytics

More terms: Argument and Hedging

• argument
• evidence
• argue
• claim
• suggest
• counterargument
• stance
• it could be argued that
• acknowledge
• arguably
• plausible
• tend to