looking after children

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking after children" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of caring for or supervising children, often in the context of childcare or parenting. Example: "She has a natural talent for looking after children, making her an excellent babysitter."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When should the state assume responsibility for looking after children?

The Economist

"We are better at looking after children with autism.

The Guardian

You need to network and you can't do that looking after children".

Independent

The "care economy" of looking after children and the old is invisible, ie unpaid.

The Guardian

Every parent knows how distracting smartphones can be while looking after children.

The Times

Imagine looking after children all on your own all the time.

The Guardian

But it has always been looking after children and preventing child abuse and neglect.

The Guardian

"We have already seen the overuse of robots in looking after children," Sharkey says.

The Guardian - Tech

Yet we reduce them to one thing they do, some of the time – looking after children.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Only women can have babies – but looking after children (and houses) is work for us all.

The Guardian

This includes £39m in court costs and £187m spent on looking after children in local authority care.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about childcare in formal contexts, consider using "caring for children" instead of "looking after children" for a slightly more professional tone. Both are correct, but the former might be preferred in academic papers or business reports.

Common error

Avoid overuse of the phrase "looking after children" in highly formal documents where more precise language might be required. Instead, use specific terms that describe the exact care being provided, such as "providing pediatric care" or "facilitating early childhood development" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking after children" functions as a verb phrase, typically acting as the predicate of a sentence or clause. It describes the action of providing care and supervision to children. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and commonly used expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "looking after children" is a grammatically sound and widely used expression denoting the act of caring for and supervising children. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is commonly used across various contexts, though slightly more formal alternatives like "caring for children" may be preferred in certain settings. With a high source quality score and frequent usage in news, scientific, and formal business domains, it remains a versatile and easily understood way to describe childcare. While contextually appropriate in most instances, being mindful of the specific audience and desired tone will ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caring for children

Replaces "looking after" with "caring for", a direct synonym emphasizing nurturing.

child care

Uses a more concise noun form to refer to the act of caring for children.

supervising children

Emphasizes the aspect of overseeing and ensuring the safety of children.

raising children

Focuses on the long-term process of bringing up children.

child-rearing

Another term for the process of raising a child.

parenting

Describes the activities related to raising and caring for children as a parent.

nurturing children

Highlights the emotional and developmental support provided to children.

tending to children

Implies attending to the needs and well-being of children.

guardian of children

Refers to a person legally responsible for the well-being of a child.

mentoring children

Indicates guiding and advising children, often in a developmental context.

FAQs

How can I use "looking after children" in a sentence?

You can use "looking after children" to describe the act of caring for or supervising children. For example, "She enjoys "looking after children" in her neighborhood after school."

What can I say instead of "looking after children"?

Alternatives to "looking after children" include "caring for children", "child care", or "supervising children", depending on the context.

Is "looking after children" formal or informal?

"Looking after children" is generally considered a neutral phrase suitable for both informal and formal contexts. However, in very formal writing, "caring for children" might be preferred.

What is the difference between "looking after children" and "parenting"?

"Looking after children" generally refers to the act of supervising and caring for children, while "parenting" encompasses the broader responsibilities of raising a child, including their development, education, and well-being.