look after

USAGE SUMMARY

"look after" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to mean "take care of" or "attend to" someone or something. For example: "I need you to look after the house while I'm away."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Look after them.

The New York Times - Health

Yellamma will look after me".

The New Yorker

They look after each other".

The New Yorker

They only look after themselves".

The New York Times

Mexicans look after their grannies.

The Economist

"Nobody [would] look after me.

The Guardian

But I look after myself.

Independent

"Tuesday will look after itself.

Independent

I can look after myself'".

Independent

I look after you.

The New York Times

Look after the basics.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look after", ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is receiving care or protection. For instance, "look after the plants" is clearer than simply "look after."

Common error

Avoid using "look after" reflexively when it's unnecessary. Saying "I look after myself" is correct, but avoid constructions like "I look after to myself", which is grammatically incorrect.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look after" functions primarily as a phrasal verb, expressing the action of taking care of, protecting, or attending to someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and frequent use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Wiki

39%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "look after" is a common and grammatically correct phrasal verb that means to take care of, protect, or attend to someone or something. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is widely used across various contexts, especially in news, media, and general writing. When writing, it is important to ensure the context clearly indicates who or what is being cared for and to avoid unnecessary reflexive use. Common alternatives include "take care of" and "care for". The phrase exhibits a neutral register, making it suitable for both informal and formal communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take care of

Replaces "look" with "take", emphasizing the action of providing care.

care for

A more concise way to express the act of providing care and attention.

watch over

Highlights the aspect of supervision and protection.

attend to

Focuses on the act of giving attention and dealing with someone or something.

keep safe

Emphasizes the goal of maintaining someone or something's safety.

be responsible for

Stresses the duty and accountability in caring for someone or something.

protect

Highlights the act of defending someone or something from harm.

supervise

Focuses on overseeing and managing someone or something.

mind

A simpler, more informal way to say "take care of".

oversee

Implies a broader responsibility in managing and directing care.

FAQs

How can I use "look after" in a sentence?

You can use "look after" to mean "take care of" or "attend to" something. For example, "Can you look after my cat while I'm on vacation?"

What are some alternatives to saying "look after"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "take care of", "care for", or "attend to".

Is it correct to say "look after to"?

No, it is not correct to say "look after to". The correct usage is simply "look after", without the additional preposition.

What's the difference between "look after" and "watch over"?

"Look after" generally implies providing care and attention, while "watch over" emphasizes supervision and protection. The nuance depends on the specific context.