looking after him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "looking after him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of taking care of someone or being responsible for their well-being. Example: "She has been looking after him since he fell ill, ensuring he takes his medication and eats properly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wayne stood there panting, looking after him.

The New Yorker

So Rogen was looking after him?

The Guardian - Film

He has no one looking after him.

The Guardian

You're all responsible for not looking after him.

Independent

"I found myself looking after him the whole time".

The Guardian

I felt I ended up looking after him.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The family's scant resources are devoted to looking after him.

The Guardian

He seemed fairly reclusive and had guards looking after him.

The Guardian - Film

"With Steven it has been well documented that we're looking after him.

Independent

"She said, 'well, can I get you something to eat?' She ended up looking after him".

Independent

"In his deepest, darkest hour I and my wife wouldn't be looking after him," he said.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone providing long-term care, consider using "caring for him" or "taking care of him" as alternatives to "looking after him" to emphasize the ongoing nature of the responsibility.

Common error

Avoid using "looking after him" when the context requires a more specific term, such as "nursing him" (for medical care) or "supervising him" (for oversight), to ensure the description accurately reflects the type of care being provided.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "looking after him" functions as a gerund phrase acting as a verb phrase, typically within a clause to describe an action of providing care or supervision. Ludwig AI confirms its common and acceptable usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Lifestyle

16%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "looking after him" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to describe the act of caring for or supervising someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is most frequently found in news and media, but also appears in lifestyle and scientific contexts. While generally neutral, it can be replaced with more formal alternatives like "responsible for him" in professional settings or more specific terms depending on the context. The phrase effectively communicates the idea of providing care, protection, or attention to another person.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

caring for him

Replaces "looking" with "caring", emphasizing the emotional aspect of providing care.

taking care of him

Uses "taking care", a more general term for providing for someone's needs.

supervising him

Focuses on overseeing and managing his activities, implying a degree of authority.

watching over him

Implies protecting and safeguarding him, often from a distance.

tending to him

Suggests providing attentive and personalized care, especially when he is unwell.

minding him

Common in some dialects, meaning to take care of him, often for a short period.

being responsible for him

Highlights the obligation and accountability associated with his welfare.

nursing him

Specifically refers to providing medical care and attention, particularly during illness.

protecting him

Emphasizes shielding him from harm or danger.

attending to him

Focuses on addressing his needs and requests promptly and efficiently.

FAQs

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

You can use alternatives like "caring for him", "taking care of him", or "supervising him" depending on the specific context.

Is "looking after him" formal or informal?

The phrase "looking after him" is generally considered neutral and appropriate for both formal and informal contexts. However, in highly formal settings, consider using alternatives like "responsible for him".

How do I use "looking after him" in a sentence?

You can use "looking after him" to describe the act of caring for someone or being responsible for their well-being. For example, "She is "looking after him" while he recovers from surgery."

What's the difference between "looking after him" and "watching over him"?

"Looking after him" generally implies active care and attention, while "watching over him" suggests a more passive form of protection or supervision, often from a distance.