Crossword Genius

A word of warning if you live somewhere in Herts (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beware

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'a word of warning' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'you live somewhere in herts' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'live' could be 'be' ('be' can be a synonym of 'live') and 'be' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ware' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This may be the basis of clue (or it may be nonsense).

'if' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beware that I've seen before include "Archaic word for look out, mind yourself" , "Have caution, be on guard" , "Archaic warning to watch out, danger ahead" , "Be on one's guard" , "Look out, danger ahead" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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