in the care of

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in the care of" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something or someone is being looked after, protected, or taken care of by another person or organization. For example: "The orphaned child was placed in the care of a loving foster family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He's not in the care of the F.B.I".

The New York Times

Life in the care of his mother-in-law continued.

The New Yorker

These survived in the care of her young daughter.

The Guardian - Books

Barbiturates in the care of the terminally ill.

Harvard University

They have been placed in the care of family members.

The New York Times

He was left in the care of his grandmother.

The New York Times

Adult organisations involved in the care of children in Rotherham failed to protect abused children.

The Guardian

They are in the care of a charity who deal with people who are deeply traumatised.

The Guardian

Or put the children in the care of the state child welfare agencies.

The New York Times

So, leaving his studio in the care of others, off he went.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Canberra's department of foreign affairs said the Australian woman was in the care of Ecuadorean authorities.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in the care of" to clearly indicate responsibility for someone or something. For example, specify who is "in the care of" whom to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "in the care of" when only partial or limited responsibility is intended. Be precise about the extent of care being provided. It implies full responsibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in the care of" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate who is responsible for or providing care to someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

14%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Academia

7%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in the care of" is a prepositional phrase widely used to indicate responsibility or custodianship. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it is very common in News & Media, Formal & Business, and Science, suggesting its adaptability across formal and informal registers. When using this phrase, ensure the scope of responsibility is clearly defined to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives such as "under the guardianship of" or "looked after by" depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

looked after by

This emphasizes the act of providing care and attention to someone.

in the charge of

This implies responsibility and control over someone or something.

under the guardianship of

This alternative emphasizes legal responsibility and protection, implying a formal arrangement.

in the custody of

This phrase typically refers to legal or physical control, often used in legal contexts.

entrusted to

This highlights the act of giving someone responsibility and trust for someone or something.

attended to by

This emphasizes direct assistance and service provided to someone.

under the protection of

This suggests a shielding or safeguarding role, emphasizing safety and security.

in the hands of

Implies transfer of control or responsibility to someone.

being tended by

Focuses on the action of providing attention and assistance, especially when someone is ill or injured.

supervised by

Highlights the monitoring and oversight aspect of care.

FAQs

How to use "in the care of" in a sentence?

Use "in the care of" to indicate who is responsible for someone or something. For example, "The children were placed in the care of their grandparents".

What can I say instead of "in the care of"?

You can use alternatives like "under the guardianship of", "in the custody of", or "looked after by", depending on the context.

Which is correct, "in the care of" or "under the care of"?

"In the care of" is the more common and grammatically sound choice. "Under the care of" is less frequent, but can be acceptable in certain contexts, although it is usually best to stick to "in the care of".

What's the difference between "in the care of" and "in the charge of"?

"In the care of" generally implies nurturing and protection, while "in the charge of" suggests responsibility and control. The nuance depends on the specific situation.