Does the verb “beware” imply that the risk to avoid is going to harm the first or second person and never...












0















The definition of beware is:




Be cautious and alert to risks or dangers.




OK, so there is a risk or danger someone needs to avoid, but who is the one in risk? In the sentence




Beware of the dog




One can assume that the dog is dangerous and the person reading the text is the one in danger. But can I use the verb beware if the subject in danger is a third one? Can someone use "beware of the dog" if the dog is too small and you need to take care not to step on them accidentally?



Another example:



I have two sons and the oldest one is doing something that can be potentially harmful for the little one. If I say to the oldest one:




Beware of your little brother!




Will it be understood that he must be careful not to harm his little brother? Or will he reply to me something like "why, is he going to bite me?"? Must I use another verb in this case?










share|improve this question























  • I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

    – Tushar Raj
    2 days ago











  • You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago











  • Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

    – 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
    2 days ago
















0















The definition of beware is:




Be cautious and alert to risks or dangers.




OK, so there is a risk or danger someone needs to avoid, but who is the one in risk? In the sentence




Beware of the dog




One can assume that the dog is dangerous and the person reading the text is the one in danger. But can I use the verb beware if the subject in danger is a third one? Can someone use "beware of the dog" if the dog is too small and you need to take care not to step on them accidentally?



Another example:



I have two sons and the oldest one is doing something that can be potentially harmful for the little one. If I say to the oldest one:




Beware of your little brother!




Will it be understood that he must be careful not to harm his little brother? Or will he reply to me something like "why, is he going to bite me?"? Must I use another verb in this case?










share|improve this question























  • I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

    – Tushar Raj
    2 days ago











  • You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago











  • Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

    – 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
    2 days ago














0












0








0








The definition of beware is:




Be cautious and alert to risks or dangers.




OK, so there is a risk or danger someone needs to avoid, but who is the one in risk? In the sentence




Beware of the dog




One can assume that the dog is dangerous and the person reading the text is the one in danger. But can I use the verb beware if the subject in danger is a third one? Can someone use "beware of the dog" if the dog is too small and you need to take care not to step on them accidentally?



Another example:



I have two sons and the oldest one is doing something that can be potentially harmful for the little one. If I say to the oldest one:




Beware of your little brother!




Will it be understood that he must be careful not to harm his little brother? Or will he reply to me something like "why, is he going to bite me?"? Must I use another verb in this case?










share|improve this question














The definition of beware is:




Be cautious and alert to risks or dangers.




OK, so there is a risk or danger someone needs to avoid, but who is the one in risk? In the sentence




Beware of the dog




One can assume that the dog is dangerous and the person reading the text is the one in danger. But can I use the verb beware if the subject in danger is a third one? Can someone use "beware of the dog" if the dog is too small and you need to take care not to step on them accidentally?



Another example:



I have two sons and the oldest one is doing something that can be potentially harmful for the little one. If I say to the oldest one:




Beware of your little brother!




Will it be understood that he must be careful not to harm his little brother? Or will he reply to me something like "why, is he going to bite me?"? Must I use another verb in this case?







word-usage verbs






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




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asked 2 days ago









CharlieCharlie

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  • I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

    – Tushar Raj
    2 days ago











  • You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago











  • Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

    – 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
    2 days ago



















  • I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

    – Tushar Raj
    2 days ago











  • You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

    – Kate Bunting
    2 days ago











  • Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

    – 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
    2 days ago

















I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

– Tushar Raj
2 days ago





I think you're making it more complicated than needed. The person who you ask to beware is in danger. The thing you tell them to beware of is the thing posing the danger.

– Tushar Raj
2 days ago













You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

– Kate Bunting
2 days ago





You would have to say 'Beware of stepping on the dog!' 'Beware of hurting your brother!'

– Kate Bunting
2 days ago













Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago





Read the many example sentences on the Oxford dictionary website. Look up 'beware' in other dictionaries. The definition seems clear.

– 9fyj'j55-8ujfr5yhjky-'tt6yhkjj
2 days ago










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