care for

USAGE SUMMARY

"care for" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to refer to looking after something or someone (i.e., taking care of their needs). For example, "I must find someone else to care for my pet while I'm away on vacation."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You'll care for people".

The New Yorker

Care for a Mask?

The New York Times

"They care for us.

The New York Times

CARE for a thrill?

The Economist

You care for her.

The New Yorker

"Care for a drink?

The New Yorker

Care for a Spritzer?

The New York Times

In health care, for instance.

The Economist

They care for their neighbours.

The Economist

Care for your puppy.

WikiHow

Care for more tronquito, seor?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "care for", consider the specific nuance you want to convey. "Take care of" is a more general term, while "look after" emphasizes protection. "Care for" can also imply liking or affection.

Common error

While "care for" is versatile, avoid overuse in formal contexts. Opt for more precise alternatives like "manage", "supervise", or "maintain" to enhance clarity and professionalism.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "care for" is a transitive verb phrase. It requires an object, indicating what or whom is being cared for. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form in written English. It serves to express the action of providing attention, support, or affection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

40%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "care for" is a versatile phrase, commonly used to express the act of looking after someone or something, or to indicate liking or affection. Ludwig AI confirms that it's a valid phrase in English. Its usage ranges from informal contexts like WikiHow to more formal news articles. When writing, consider the nuance you wish to convey, as "care for" can be interchanged with alternatives like "take care of" or "look after", but can also imply an emotional connection. While widely accepted, be mindful of the context and choose more specific verbs if needed, particularly in business settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take care of

A very common and direct synonym, highlighting the responsibility of attending to needs.

look after

Emphasizes the act of watching over and protecting something or someone.

attend to

Focuses on providing service or assistance to someone or something.

watch over

Stresses the act of protecting and supervising.

nurture

Implies fostering growth and well-being, often used in contexts of raising children or plants.

provide for

Highlights the act of supplying necessities or support.

be responsible for

Focuses on the obligation and accountability of looking after something or someone.

have a fondness for

Indicates a liking or affection, shifting the focus from responsibility to emotion.

show affection for

Highlights the emotional aspect of caring, emphasizing love and tenderness.

be inclined towards

Expresses a preference or willingness, often used in offers or invitations.

FAQs

How can I use "care for" in a sentence?

You can use "care for" to mean to look after someone or something, as in "I need someone to care for my plants while I'm away". It can also mean to like something, as in "Do you care for classical music?".

What's the difference between "care for" and "take care of"?

While similar, "take care of" is a more general term. "Care for" can sometimes imply a deeper sense of affection or responsibility, but they are often interchangeable. You can replace "care for" with alternatives like "look after" or "attend to" depending on the context.

What can I say instead of "care for" when offering something?

When offering something, "care for" can sound slightly formal. Instead, use phrases like "Would you like...?" or "Do you want...?" For example, instead of "Care for a drink?", you can say "Would you like a drink?"

Is it ever incorrect to use "care for"?

While generally correct, "care for" might be less appropriate in highly technical or business contexts where more specific terms like "maintain", "manage", or "oversee" might be more suitable.