take proper care

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "take proper care" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
It is often used to indicate that someone should pay attention and take appropriate action in order to ensure something or someone is well looked after or maintained. Example: "Please remember to take proper care of your new car by regularly checking the oil and tire pressure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Take proper care of machinery.

Cornell University

You will also be under a duty to take proper care of the property.

The Guardian - Money

Each side needs to take proper care of its own interests.

The New York Times

You would think we would long since have decided to take proper care of these treasures.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He thinks the garden can be saved if we take proper care this fall.

The New York Times - Magazine

Under any defined user condition it is important to take proper care of the feet and the footwear.

Textiles for Cold Weather Apparel

Many hospitals and nursing homes have too few nurses to take proper care of patients, the panel said.

The New York Times

"They don't take proper care of you at home," said Fatamatou Touray, 39, who had previously lost three children.

The New York Times

Looking to the future, Dr. Mandel recognized the challenge in getting people to take proper care of their teeth.

The New York Times

In a report to Congress last year, the administration said that 9 out of 10 nursing homes had too few workers to take proper care of patients.

The New York Times

More than 90percentt of the nation's nursing homes have too few workers to take proper care of patients, a new federal study has found.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to "take proper care", be specific about the actions required. Instead of saying "take proper care of the plants", specify "water the plants twice a week and ensure they get sunlight".

Common error

Avoid vague instructions. Saying "just take proper care of it" without detailing what that entails can lead to neglect or misunderstanding. Provide clear, actionable steps.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "take proper care" primarily functions as a directive or instruction. It's used to advise or command someone to handle something responsibly and with attention to detail, as Ludwig examples show.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Science

23%

Wiki

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Academia

6%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "take proper care" is a grammatically sound and widely used directive, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It serves to instruct or advise someone to handle something responsibly, focusing on well-being and maintenance. While its register is generally neutral, it's frequently found in news, scientific, and general instructional contexts. To enhance clarity, it's recommended to provide specific actionable steps when using this phrase, avoiding vagueness. Related phrases offer alternative ways to express similar intentions, each with nuanced implications. With a high expert rating and strong source quality, "take proper care" remains a valuable and reliable expression in English communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look after responsibly

Highlights the aspect of being accountable and reliable in providing care.

attend to carefully

Highlights the meticulous and detailed nature of the care provided.

give sufficient attention

Focuses on allocating enough focus and resources to a specific task or issue.

maintain diligently

Emphasizes consistent and thorough upkeep over time.

exercise due diligence

Implies a more formal and thorough investigation and preventative action, suitable for legal or business contexts.

be mindful of

Stresses awareness and consideration of potential issues or needs.

handle with caution

Suggests a higher degree of risk or fragility, requiring careful and gentle handling.

steward responsibly

Suggests a sense of guardianship and ethical management.

oversee with vigilance

Implies a supervisory role with a focus on preventing problems.

administer with expertise

Emphasizes the skillful and knowledgeable application of care.

FAQs

How can I use "take proper care" in a sentence?

You can use "take proper care" to advise someone to handle something responsibly, such as, "Please "take proper care" of the equipment while you are using it".

What does "take proper care" mean?

"Take proper care" means to handle something or someone with attention, responsibility, and diligence to ensure their well-being or optimal condition.

What are some alternatives to "take proper care"?

Some alternatives to "take proper care" include "look after responsibly", "maintain diligently", or "attend to carefully", depending on the context.

Is it better to say "take proper care of" or "take good care of"?

Both "take proper care of" and "take good care of" are acceptable. "Take proper care of" emphasizes a more thorough and correct approach, while "take good care of" is slightly more general and emphasizes kindness and concern.