Everyday English Warnings: 'Be Careful', 'Take Care' Story
- Rose Sensei
- Sep 3
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 8
🌟 Introduction to English Everyday Warnings / Phrases
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between be careful, take care, mind the step, or watch your step?
🤔These warning phrases are common in everyday English, but they are used in slightly different situations. Let’s learn them through a short story and some practice activities!
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🎥Check out YouTube video with 🗣️voice narration for listening & pronunciation:
📖 Short Story: Anna’s Busy Morning
Anna rushed out of her apartment, late for work.
At the door, her neighbour smiled and said, “Take care!”
Anna waved back, “Thanks, you too!”
On the street, her friend shouted, “Be careful! The traffic is crazy today.” Anna quickly looked both ways before crossing.
At the train station, a loud voice announced, “Caution! The train is arriving.”
As she stepped onto the platform, she saw a big yellow sign: “Mind the step!”Another passenger whispered, “Watch your step, Miss.”
Anna laughed. “So many warnings in one morning… but I made it safely!”
📝 Explanation of Phrases
Take care → polite goodbye / wish for safety
e.g “Take care! See you tomorrow.”
Be careful → warning about danger or risk
e.g. “Be careful when you drive at night.”
Careful! → short, urgent warning
e.g. “Careful! The coffee is hot.”
Caution! → formal/public warning, often on signs or announcements
e.g. “Caution! Wet floor.”
Mind the step → 🇬🇧British English, often on trains or buses
e.g. “Mind the step when you get off the train.”
Watch your step → similar to “mind the step,” more common in
🇺🇸American English.
e.g. “Watch your step, the ground is uneven.”
🎯 ESL Worksheet Activities
A. Match the Phrases
Match the warning phrase to the correct situation:
____ “Take care”
____ “Be careful”
____ “Caution!”
____ “Mind the step”
____ “Watch your step”
a) You are leaving a friend’s house.
b) A loudspeaker at a train station.
c) You’re walking on a wet floor.
d) You say goodbye politely.
e) Your friend is about to cross a busy road.
B. Fill in the Blank
Choose the correct phrase: be careful, take care, caution, mind the step, watch your step.
“____! The dog might bite.”
“Thanks for visiting. ____ on your way home.”
“____! Hot surface.”
“Please ____ when you leave the bus.”
“The road is icy, ____ when driving.”
C. Role Play
Work with a partner. Use at least 3 of today’s warning phrases in a short conversation.
Example:
A: “Thanks for the tea, I’ll go now.”
B: “Sure! Take care.”
✅ Answer Key
Matching: 1–d, 2–e, 3–b, 4–c, 5–a
Fill in the Blank:
1. Be careful, 2. Take care, 3. Caution, 4. Mind the step, 5. Watch your step
🙌 Conclusion
Now you know how to use everyday English warnings such as be careful, take care, caution, mind the step, and watch your step!
🚀Next time you see a warning sign or hear someone say these phrases, you’ll understand the difference immediately!
Need More Practice?
📩Download this lesson + worksheet practice 👉 https://tinyurl.com/muk37urh
🎥 Related Videos: YouTube Channel Playlist
🔗Learn Grammar Through Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/bvwvckfu
🔗Quick and Easy Vocabulary https://tinyurl.com/44chnrb9
🔗ESL Listening Practice With Engaging Stories https://tinyurl.com/37rf8e23
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